Report: Aoun's Cabinet Gesture Triggers War of Words between Hariri, Miqati

An unprecedented move made by President Michel Aoun when he asked Prime Minister Saad Hariri to lead the cabinet session at the Presidential Palace, triggered a war of words on Twitter between Hariri and former PM Najib Miqati over the “constitutionality” of the gesture, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Friday.

During a cabinet meeting chaired by Aoun at Baabda Palace on Thursday, Aoun had to leave to attend a celebration marking the 66th anniversary of the Lebanese University. He asked Hariri to take his place and preside over the session without adjourning it, said the daily.

According to reports, Hariri was “moved” by the gesture and felt the “weight of the presidential seat,” as he thanked the President for his “confidence.”

The move triggered a war of words over Twitter between Hariri and Miqati, which lasted from the moment the cabinet session ended until the evening.

Miqati denounced a statement made by Minister Pierre Abou Assi at the end of the meeting, that stated: “The PM hailed the President's gesture after being compelled to leave the meeting asking the PM to take his place and chair the session. The PM considered the President's trust as proof of his confidence in the government and the constitutional institutions, which represents a positive indicator.”

Miqati tweeted saying that Abou Assi's statement has “provoked me for two reasons: first, lack of adequate knowledge of the constitution, and second, what is happening to the position of Premiership.

“I therefore turn to the Prime Minister with all love and respect and say to him, "Enough, Saad,”” added Miqati.

For his part, Hariri's tweet said: “It seems that PM Miqati did not comprehend the message intended to be delivered towards the Premiership at the Baabda Palace.

"If President Miqati does not understand the difference between praise and joy, there is no need to respond.”

Moreover, ministerial sources assured that Aoun's move does not violate the constitution as accused by Miqati, they said: “No PM has before presided over a cabinet meeting held at the Baabda Palace. Therefore Miqati's note does not fit in a political or constitutional frame. What happened does not violate the constitution or the jurisdictions.”

They said the move “reflects the extent of cooperation between the President and PM which was translated in more than one occasion, all in all in order to ensure the success of the government's work.”