Aoun opens fire at Berri, Mikati and Jumblat in farewell interview

Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati swiftly hit back overnight at remarks by President Michel Aoun, accusing him of distorting facts.

“I agree with His Excellency that the constitution is the guide and reference in all issues. But as for what His Excellency said about private matters and curtailed, distorted or untrue details, I will only say regretfully: sometimes our elderly’s memory fail them, so facts get mixed up with wishes and realities get mixed up with illusions,” Mikati said in a statement.

In an interview on LBCI television, Aoun had said earlier in the night that Mikati “has no will to form the government.”

“The manner in which the government is being formed, as if through hegemony, is something unacceptable, especially in terms of failing to respect the unity of standards,” Aoun said.

“I told him during the last visit to Baabda, ‘We can form a government from now until the night comes,’ but he went and did not return. Maybe he went to make a yacht trip and this means that there will be no government,” the president added.

“I’m about to sign the government’s resignation decree. I will give them a chance until the end of my term to form a government according to unified standards. It would be enough if Mikati calls on the phone and if (Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran) Bassil remains unconvinced, I would convince him,” Aoun said.

Separately, the president said the southern front has become “stable” in the wake of the sea border deal with Israel.

“It certainly won’t be a source of violence and there won’t be a war due to common interests, not due to accord with Israel,” Aoun added.

Asked about Progressive Socialist Party chief Walid Jumblat’s fears over “the loss and waste of oil extraction money,” Aoun said: “We only fear him and I won’t say more.”

As for the dialogue that Speaker Nabih Berri intends to call for, the president said “Speaker Berri has the right to hold consultations with the parliamentary blocs, not to call for dialogue.”

“Even if my term ends, he has no right to replace the president. In dialogue, all parties leave dismayed, that’s why consultation is better,” Aoun went on to say.

As for the anti-corruption fight, Aoun said: “Hezbollah helped us silently. The Amal Movement and Hezbollah are conjoined twins and there will be blood if you separate them. Hezbollah did not meet us half way and this what we blame it for.”