Aoun: Our Determination Will Prevent Terrorist Groups from Entering Lebanon
Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun expressed belief on Monday that the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and al-Qaida-affiliated al-Nusra Front's intervention in Lebanon will never be easy as the people is all determined to combat extremism.
“The Lebanese youth is concerned with the fate of the country and should abide by the appropriate choices to preserve the country,” Aoun said via the FPM Youth Facebook page to commemorate the 24th anniversary of his ouster from the Baabda Palace.
“We are determined to combat the terrorist organizations.”
He called on the Lebanese army to play its effective role to maintain the sovereignty of the Lebanese state.
“We live in fear but the developments are not similar to those on October 13 (1990) and the circumstances are hard but we will find salvation,” Aoun continued.
Aoun served as the PM of the legal faction of the two rival governments contending for power in Lebanon from 1988 to October 1990.
He declared the “Liberation War” against the Syrian occupation on March 14, 1989. On the October 13, 1990, the Syrian forces invaded Beirut killing hundreds of unarmed soldiers and civilians.
Aoun, then-prime minister, left the Presidential Palace and sought refuge in the French Embassy and he was later allowed to travel to France.
He returned to Lebanon on May 7, 2005, eleven days after the withdrawal of Syrian troops.
In 2006, as head of the FPM, he signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Hizbullah. He visited Syria in 2009.
Aoun is expected to deliver a speech at the Congress Palace in Dbayeh at 6:00 pm.
Al-Joumhouria newspaper reported that the Christian chief's speech will be strong and will not include any initiatives.
He will also focus on the developments in the region and their impact on Lebanon.
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