Aoun Snaps Back at Critics, Defends his Ministers
Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun stressed on Friday that the cabinet is not one-sided but it contains parties that have different priorities.
Aoun lashed out at his critics who said that his ministers are moody, in a press conference before heading a meeting for the FPM bloc in Mar Elias Monastery in Baabda.
“No one is moody, and there are no personal interests… We should deal with the national interest objectively,” he said after accusations that his ministers continue to stir trouble during cabinet sessions.
Aoun told reporters that “there can be no resistance without reforms because they complement each other.”
The FPM leader said that the meeting will tackle the 2012 draft state budget, criticizing it for proposing an increase in the Value Added Tax (VAT) from 10 to 12 percent.
Aoun stated that Labor Minister Charbel Nahhas was cooperating with the different parties to resolve the wages issue but under-the-table deals created chaos.
“Everyone should carry out their own tasks in their own jurisdiction, and then the competent authorities take the final decision,” he said.
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