Aoun Says Church Incident a Breach of National Charter by 'Those Claiming to be Christian'
Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun on Tuesday said that preventing him from entering the Our Lady of Elige Church in Maifouq on Sunday was a breach of the Lebanese National Charter by "those who are claiming to be Christian," noting that the FPM does not mind that the Orthodox Gathering electoral law be put to a vote during the meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committees.
"I regret that the ownership of the Our Lady of Elige Church has shifted to the Lebanese Forces, but I'd like to say that the Constitution guarantees freedom of movement in any region and no politician can prevent anyone from enjoying that privilege," Aoun told reporters sardonically after the weekly meeting of the Change and Reform parliamentary bloc.
“No one can claim to be Christian and commit such an act ... This behavior has nothing to do with Christian values and we hope it will not be repeated, especially by fathers,” Aoun added.
Aoun's visit to the church as part of his Byblos electoral tour was called off after LF supporters congregated to voice out their objection to it, due to the place's historical symbolism. Hundreds of LF fighters killed in the Elimination War against Aoun's forces were buried in Our Lady of Elige in 1989.
“I'm not insane to enter a church by force,” Aoun noted, extending gratitude to Maifouq's residents “who condemned what happened although some of them do not support us in politics.”
Turning to the issue of the parliamentary debate over the electoral law that will govern the 2013 vote, Aoun said: “Let the chairman of the Joint Committees session put the Orthodox Gathering law to a vote and we don't have any objections.”
The Orthodox Gathering has proposed a law under which each sect would elect its own representatives in parliament.
“The Phalange Party and the LF have been talking about the selling of lands (to foreigners), but where is their draft law? I have a feeling that this law is being deliberately obstructed,” Aoun added, criticizing his Christian rivals.
“Let no one talk to me about the unity of the Christians! Let us first agree on defining the threats and the needed reform. How can we reach consensus if we don't have a common point of view,” he went on to say.
“Let MP Sami Gemayel cooperate with us on his land ownership bill and we are ready to help,” Aoun added.
Addressing the issue of the draft state budget, Aoun hoped it will be “approved with reforms instead of returning to the pre-2010 era that was marred by violations.”
Source: Naharnet
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://naharnet.com/stories/en/55585 |