Kanaan Warns of Status Quo, Calls on Rivals to Adopt Aoun's Initiative

Change and Reform bloc MP Ibrahim Kanaan warned on Sunday of the risks imposed by the current status quo, calling on the political rivals to agree on resolving the situation to prevent any further degradation.

“We have reached the edge of abyss,” Kanaan said in comments to Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3).

He said political arch-foes should give agreement a chance to prevent “the explosion of the situation,” which falls in favor of Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun's recent speech.

Kanaan, who is loyal to Aoun, stressed that the FPM is seeking the establishment of a Lebanese-Lebanese road map to end the stalemate, safeguard state institutions and maintain stability.

“Aoun's initiative is not a propaganda or isolated... it's to sound the alarm to avert dangers... we should respect the constitution to preserve the state and the (Lebanese) entity,” the lawmaker remarked.

On Friday, Aoun questioned at a press conference the need for what he described as an ineffective government, suggesting the election of the president by the people, a presidential referendum and holding parliamentary elections based on a new and balanced electoral law before organizing the presidential polls to end the political deadlock.

Kanaan said that an FPM delegation will kick start a tour on the rival political parties to discuss Aoun's initiative.

“The delegation will begin the tour with a meeting with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi in Bkirki, then head to Maarab and Saifi... the meet with Mustaqbal Movement is set to take place on Wednesday.”

Vacuum striking the presidential post since May last year is having a tough impact on the cabinet and the parliament as the state is threatened with further crises over ongoing rows between the rival parties.

Concerning the appointment of new high-ranking security officials, Kanaan announced a preliminary rejection to the extension of security and military personnel.

“The military institution has qualified personnel,” Kanaan said, considering the failure to appoint new figures by the cabinet “violates the national and Constitutional duties.”

The military posts in Lebanon are suffering as the result of the prolonged presidential vacuum.

The FPM chief has previously rejected any attempts to extend the terms of high-ranking security officials.

Media reports had said that Aoun's main objective is to receive political consensus on the appointment of Commando Regiment chief Brig. Gen. Chamel Roukoz, who is Aoun's son-in-law, as army chief as part of a package for the appointment of other top security officers.

Roukoz's tenure ends in October while the term of Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji expires at the end of September.

Despite the reports about his insistence to have his son-in-law as army chief, Aoun denied that he had made such a proposal.