Aoun says waiting for 'new approach' from Mikati

President Michel Aoun announced Thursday that he is “waiting for a new approach” from PM-designate Najib Mikati in light of the observations he had voiced over the proposed cabinet line-up.

“The dire need today is for a fully constitutional government that can take executive decisions, not for statements and leaks that further complicate things,” the Presidency said in a statement.

“President Aoun has never closed the palace’s door in the face of anyone and he certainly won’t close it in the face of the PM-designate, but he was waiting for a new approach in light of the observations he had expressed over the proposed line-up,” it added.

Noting that it is lamentable to “suggest that the Presidency is insulting the premiership’s standing,” the Presidency stressed that Aoun “will not give up his full constitutional partnership” in the formation of the government.

“The President has his opinion and remarks and he is responsible towards his constitutional oath and towards the people. He does not intend to renounce this responsibility and it is not in his calculations to accept the policy of imposition,” the Presidency added.

Aoun had earlier in the day met with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer.

“Lebanon is a peace-loving country and it is clinging to its full sovereignty and its right to utilize its natural resources, including the extraction of oil and gas,” Aoun told Nehammer.