Aoun:Those Worried Over Their Foreign Interests Let Them Leave the Government

Change and Reform Bloc MP Michel Aoun on Friday renewed his refusal to fund the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, asking all those who fear their foreign interests to "leave the government."

During the Free Patriotic Movement's dinner ceremony in Jbeil district, Aoun said that "we refuse and will keep on refusing what the STL demands from Lebanon since it is not right to always submit to foreign interests," adding that "they cannot impose on Lebanon what they want and I am ready again to risk myself rather than risking Lebanon."

Aoun continued: "Those who fear for their financial situation and foreign interests let them leave the governance to the poor because they fear nothing."

He threatened to demand the PM to give back the money which he falsely paid in case the STL was funded, adding that "we will not be terrified by all the games being played."

"Our priorities are to give the Lebanese people Electricity 24 hours a day, and it is our duty to make irrigation and water projects," Aoun concluded.

In an interview to OTV earlier Friday Aoun said that his ministers' position today in not attending the cabinet session did not come as a response to PM Najib Miati's latest position, but he added that he refused Miqati's "either you give me what I want or I resign" method.

Prime Minister Najib Miqati had said Thursday that his resignation would protect Lebanon in case the government decided not to fund the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.

Aoun had added: "We are ready for all possibilities," noting that "is it normal that everyone threatens us and we give concessions?"

"They say that we have ten ministers, but who have we appointed? No one," Aoun had said in reference to the administrative appointments.

He refused to set a date for resignation, pointing out that at his speech later tonight he will talk about "new things which the Lebanese people have not heard yet, and we will see what is right in the court's legitimacy and its work."