Suleiman, Aoun Meet in Baabda under Auspices of al-Rahi

A tripartite meeting was held on Sunday at the Baabda Palace between President Michel Suleiman, Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi and Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun.

“The Baabda tripartite meeting was held to preserve the status of the presidency and show respect for General Aoun's significant popular representation,” Al-Manar television reported.

The meeting “tackled the issues of administrative appointments and (the 2013 parliamentary) elections,” sources told Al-Manar, revealing that the talks took place following efforts exerted by al-Rahi, Maronite Council chief Wadih al-Khazen and Maronite League head Joseph Tarabay.

Meanwhile, Radio Voice of Lebanon (93.3) quoted sources close to Baabda as saying that the meeting “tackled some thorny issues, such as appointments, and tried to bridge differences over several other controversial issues.”

The meeting was held away from the media spotlight and surrounded by extreme secrecy, according to the radio station.

The bickering between Suleiman and Aoun did not go unnoticed during the mass held to mark St. Maroun Day after the MP violated the protocol and entered the St. George Cathedral following the head of state’s arrival.

Observers said Aoun intentionally arrived late at the church. However, the FPM leader attributed his delay to the tight measures taken by security forces on that day.

During a luncheon held at the Beirut Maronite Archbishopric after the church celebration, al-Rahi told Suleiman that every time he was harmed, all the Lebanese would be harmed.

But the president cited a verse from a famous Arabic poem, saying the nation would be lost if its people become unethical.

Suleiman and Aoun have been at loggerheads over the appointment of civil servants in posts reserved for Christians. The main point of contention is the head of the Higher Judicial Council.