Harb Hits Back at Aoun: He is Acting as Though he is Lebanon's President

Caretaker Labor Minister Butros Harb criticized Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun, saying "he is acting as though he is the president of the republic and the prime minister."

Harb said statements made by Aoun on Tuesday "indicated that he wants no one else but him in the Government."

"His (Aoun's) position is not in harmony with the requirements for the political action, but reflects a tendency to grasp power," Harb said in remarks published Wednesday by As-Safir daily.

Harb stressed that March 14 forces' decision to participate in the new government will be unanimous. He ruled out that any March 14 official would take a unilateral step in this regard "since none of us is after a portfolio."

He said negotiations between March 14 and PM-designate Najib Miqati focused on the possibility of forming a national unity government.

Harb said March 14 was willing to join the Miqati government based on the previous policy statement which supports the Special Tribunal for Lebanon with reservations over the article that deals with weapons.