Aoun Voices Fear of Arab Spring's Effect on Lebanon, Questions 'Sides that are Mobilizing Youth Protests'
Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun stressed on Tuesday the “rightful” demands being made by civil society protesters over the political reality in Lebanon, adding that he had objected to corruption in the country years ago.
He added however: “We have questions over those who are mobilizing the demonstrators.”
He also expressed his fear over the effect the Arab Spring may have on Lebanon, citing the bloody conflicts in Syria and Iraq and other countries.
“Would the protesters prefer the garbage piling up on the streets or the chaos in those countries?” Aoun asked after the Change and Reform bloc's weekly meeting.
He instead advised the youth to demand the adoption of a new electoral law, the staging of parliamentary elections, and election of a new head of state.
Addressing the youth, the MP said: “If you want power to be restored to the people, then you should demand that the president be elected through a popular vote.”
The lawmaker had on numerous occasions demanded that a new president be elected through the people.
“Only elections can help cleanse institutions,” Aoun stressed.
He therefore called on the youth to join the FPM protest scheduled for 5:30 pm on Friday.
The “You Stink” civil society campaign has staged a number of demonstrations against the country's ongoing waste management crisis, which erupted in July following the closure of the Naameh landfill.
The crisis has resulted in the piling up of trash on the streets as the government failed to find a new landfill.
On Tuesday, the activists stormed the Environment Ministry to demand the resignation of Minister Mohammed al-Mashnouq.
The FPM will stage a protest on Friday to demand “the restoration of Christian rights”, which it says has been usurped by the prime minister in the absence of a president.
M.T.
Y.R.
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