Protocol Mistake or Not! Aoun Seeks to Stir Suleiman’s Anger

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The bickering between President Michel Suleiman and Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun didn’t go unnoticed during St. Maroun Day on Thursday after Aoun violated the protocol and entered the St. George Cathedral after the head of state.

Media reports said Friday that several officials were frustrated when Aoun delayed his entry to the cathedral to attend a mass celebrated by Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi.

They reported that some of the attendees applauded when Suleiman went in. But Aoun’s supporters, who were present at the cathedral en masse, made a higher round of applause.

The protocol violation frustrated some of the officials attending the mass, the reports said.

The mass was attended by Speaker Nabih Berri, Premier Najib Miqati and other top officials.

During a luncheon held on the occasion at the Beirut Maronite Archbishopric after the church celebration, al-Rahi told Suleiman that every time he was harmed, all the Lebanese would be harmed.

But the president cited a verse from a famous Arabic poem, saying the nation would be lost if its people become unethical.

During the lunch, which wasn’t attended by Aoun, Suleiman called for unity and openness towards everyone in Lebanon and outside it.

He also urged the Lebanese to preserve Lebanon’s democratic plurality and to exercise it in the right way.

Suleiman and Aoun have been at loggerheads over the appointments of civil servants in posts reserved for Christians. The main point of contention is the head of the Higher Judicial Council.

Comments 46
Thumb ado.australia 10 February 2012, 08:24

Really? Aoun received louder applause than the President? How scandalous... I too am very frustrated with such a "protocol violation" :)

Thumb charbel 10 February 2012, 08:25

Aoun megalomania will end him a mental hospital

Thumb cedar 10 February 2012, 08:29

hahahahahaha wow, louder applause is called protocol. how interesting! LOL

Thumb cedar 10 February 2012, 08:30

oh its Aoun entering after Suleiman that is the break of protocol... well who cares! Aoun is more important anyways

Default-user-icon eldofar (Guest) 10 February 2012, 18:09

who cares indeed...everyone knows that Aoun is with mental problems and does not take him seriously...why do you have to pay so much attention to a sick and old psycho

Missing eldofar 10 February 2012, 18:12

who cares, indeed....everyone knows that Aoun has mental problems and does not take him seriously...why do you have to pay that much attention to an old, sick psycho

Default-user-icon Luxembourg Bob (Guest) 10 February 2012, 08:52

The accidential President suleiman who according to wikileaks was brought by US Ambassasdo feltmen to fight General Michel Aoun. General Aoun is the true representative of not only the Christians but also the spirit of what Lebanon should be. Dignified, clean and honorable.

suleiman was busy arresting kids for defaming him on facebook, but when internal security chief ashraf rifi defied him and the interior minister but covering up an illegal phone network, suleiman did nothing!

Default-user-icon jacques allia (Guest) 10 February 2012, 12:49

Aoun did even worse! he defended Hezballah who assassinated major Samer Hanna and did not even dare to visit his mother upon his visit to Tannourine. He probably felt ashamed and lacked to courage to face her.

Default-user-icon Truth (Guest) 10 February 2012, 09:22

He's already been to a mental disorders hospital. This is a well known fact. But this wouldn,t be a problem if so many hadn't fallen into his fallacious clean trap. Mental imbalance is common. The problem really lies in that so many people identify with his obsessive, normative, radical superego: This is Mr Clean- (Ariel plus superdetergent!). But, this is also where his biggest punishment is, and will remain till the end of his life, being relentlessly persecuted by himself, by his quest for elusive purity: He is will not and will never be GOD!

Missing eldofar 10 February 2012, 18:16

this the reality, my dear, like it or not...your favorite general is with diagnosis "cerebral degeneration"...go and search what it means

Missing peace 10 February 2012, 10:57

were you there to tell nahar what to write or not? lol!

Default-user-icon May7 (Guest) 10 February 2012, 11:47

Lebanon thought they were getting an orange but got one crazy lemon instead

Default-user-icon Jacques Allia (Guest) 10 February 2012, 11:57

Aoun does not represent all Christians; with his repeated nervous breakdown he is certainly not a reliable "homme d' etat". He could not make it to the presidency all he has now is some applause on Saint Maron's day... Because he could not make it in Brad this year! How pitiful.

Default-user-icon Minx (Guest) 10 February 2012, 12:58

One obvious fact with this ClAoun: In lam tasta7i faf3al ma shi2t.
This Kherfein will evatually ends up in Deir El Salib, the irony is, he still believe that he represents 70% of the Christians....

Default-user-icon Phelixo (Guest) 10 February 2012, 13:21

Sometimes I wonder why I even come to this site.

Yes, you, the mods who won't even approve this post, should be ashamed of yourselves for working for such a newspaper. God help this country if that's how you're going to treat it.

Default-user-icon MUSTAPHA O. GHALAYINI (Guest) 10 February 2012, 13:28

it is well known that the general(aoun) has more representation than suleiman amid the christian arena,let him try to enter somewhere else in lebanon....and let's see the applause(except farsi areas)...tidiculous politics indeed.

Missing eldofar 10 February 2012, 18:17

it's much better to let him go somewhere out in lebanon

Missing youssefhaddad 10 February 2012, 13:50

A feud between the " eternal President wannabe" and the " how the hell did I become President? " .
It is demeaning how constituents are still following meaningless leaders while Lebanon is driven by superior forces to a track where none of these leaders will have anything to say.

Default-user-icon happy awni (Guest) 10 February 2012, 14:23

Thank God at long last a victory for General Michel Aoun! S#!t people, we've been waiting for one for twenty two years! Go tell your friends and remember and treasure this day forever.. information about a celebration rally to come soon everyone is welcomed..
umm, sorry I didn't want you to see me like this, I'm so emotional I'm a basket case, I got tears of joy, I never thought I'll live to witnesses a General Michel Aoun victory of any kind let alone something as huge as THIS!
I can't wait for the commemorative coins and plates depicting this even with a smiling conquering hero General Michel Aoun gloriously breaching the doors of the impregnable fortress St. George Cathedral as he swiftly and with style single-handedly disposes of his enemies with Sleiman helpless to stop him.

Default-user-icon happy awni (Guest) 10 February 2012, 14:24

Thank God at long last a victory for General Michel Aoun! S#!t people, we've been waiting for one for twenty two years! Go tell your friends and remember and treasure this day forever.. information about a celebration rally to come soon everyone is welcomed..
umm, sorry I didn't want you to see me like this, I'm so emotional I'm a basket case, I got tears of joy, I never thought I'll live to witnesses a General Michel Aoun victory of any kind let alone something as huge as THIS!
I can't wait for the commemorative coins and plates depicting this even with a smiling conquering hero General Michel Aoun gloriously breaching the doors of the impregnable fortress St. George Cathedral as he swiftly and with style single-handedly disposes of his enemies with Sleiman helpless to stop him.

Thumb sophia_angle 10 February 2012, 15:00

Vive le General Aoun !!:)

Default-user-icon ReaLeb (Guest) 10 February 2012, 15:17

Anyone who supports Aoun is a fool.

Default-user-icon orange (Guest) 11 February 2012, 09:34

you are the fool
كبير يا جنرال انت الامل الباقي

Default-user-icon ReaLeb (Guest) 12 February 2012, 05:27

No, I'm not. I used to support him more than you did until he changed. I don't support someone because of their name but because of their policies. Like I said, anyone who supports Aoun is a fool. You are no exception.

Default-user-icon Mastoul (Guest) 10 February 2012, 15:41

What they should do is: As soon as the President enters the Church, close all doors and "DON'T LET THE DOGS IN". Fair

Thumb beiruti 10 February 2012, 15:42

Shameful for the Maronites. An applause meter in church to see who has more followers, the President or Aoun. In church all should hope that they are with God, not brag that God is with them.

Anyone can bring in ringers to cause a momentary show of support, and Aoun plays these tactics. But for the long run, for Lebanon, it is a losing game. And for eternity, Aoun does not believe in God nor fear him, because if he did, he would not play his games in God's house.

Default-user-icon cedarjet (Guest) 10 February 2012, 15:51

Protocol Mistake or Not!

Which respectable newspaper in the world uses exclamation points in the headlines?

Missing allouchi 10 February 2012, 15:58

Aoun is good at one thing and that is to make problems for others and then turn around and be a cry baby girl. His followers sniff his farts and say they perfume.

Default-user-icon 4G (Guest) 10 February 2012, 16:07

Lance Corporal Aoun,is nothing but a coward,his wife and daughter could verify that.

Default-user-icon 4G (Guest) 10 February 2012, 16:11

Aoun,rent a crowd.

Default-user-icon Dutch Orange (Guest) 10 February 2012, 16:12

Patriarch Bechara al-Rahi told President Michel Suleiman “every offense made on you is an offense to all the Lebanese and we thank the Lord that you have a big heart”

... ON MY GOD NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! THEY'RE GONNA TURN ON YOU! RUN!!!

Default-user-icon The Truth (Guest) 10 February 2012, 16:17

Like little children they argue over 'protocol' while they don't do anything useful. Aoun should take a vacation in Homs since there is no revolution there.

Default-user-icon St Observer (Guest) 10 February 2012, 16:19

Patriarch Bechara al-Rahi told President Michel Suleiman “every offense made on you is an offense to all the Lebanese and we thank the Lord that you have a big heart”..
.. then looking utterly disgusted..
Patriarch Bechara al-Rahi told the never to become President Michel Aoun “every offense you make on him or anyone else is an offense to all the Lebanese and we ask the Lord why did he give you such a very small brain, cowardly heart and weak bladder”.

Default-user-icon diko (Guest) 10 February 2012, 16:22

Aoun in any other country will be admitted into a mental isdtitution. the man is long gone and lost all sence of reality. why is anyone paying attention to him anyway ?.. look at the Hakim (allah yehmik) he totally ignores him as none existence . everyboby should follow the Hakim foot step...

Default-user-icon lebnani (Guest) 10 February 2012, 16:59

Aoun disarmed the Christian militias, bombed christian villages, usurped the Prime Minister's post, made anti-Syrian speeches in the US congress but now makes anti-American speeches in Syria. Was allowed back to Lebanon thanks to M14 pushing for it against Syria, and he flip floped to help Syria against M14. Was exiled from Lebanon by Syria (afer deserting his troops, nice "general")

How can anyone still believe him and trust him, I believe he was sent to destabalize the country?

Default-user-icon Joseph (Guest) 10 February 2012, 17:08

Naharnet, you have a nice website and a great layout. Can you please for the love of God hire some good writers. Too many of your articles are written by bigot hate mongers. I am not saying you shouldnt be taking sides, I am saying that when you want to attack your opponent, please use some sort of content to do so. Violating protocol.... no wonder we have a broken country. We dont deserve any better.

Default-user-icon Micheal Aoun (Guest) 10 February 2012, 22:11

ma hada neiekkoun ala Aoun ya 3rsat

Thumb jabalamel 10 February 2012, 23:10

the filthy zionist media terrorists received orders to increase their assaults on patriotic christian leader and his party.

they repeated all their lies and stupidities like they always repeat it.

Default-user-icon mfawaz (Guest) 11 February 2012, 00:00

filthy jabalamel this is from the filthy Hassan now living in damp filth because he's a coward, enjoy: "the problem with Michel Aoun is that he represents an Israeli-Saddamist confrontational and destructive force, and he perceives only his personal interests" ... Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah 1989

Thumb jabalamel 10 February 2012, 23:10

the filthy zionist media terrorists received orders to increase their assaults on patriotic christian leader and his party.

they repeated all their lies and stupidities like they always repeat it.

Missing peace 10 February 2012, 23:47

jabalahbal the zionist and his comedy show! repeats while criticizing others to do so! proof he s a zionist!

Default-user-icon Halaktouna (Guest) 11 February 2012, 08:24

What an idiot you are ya aoun ... u crave attention and glorification like a blood thirsty hound! go back to whatever hole u crawled out from and let us live in peace ya zeft!
you abandoned us once and I can not beleive there are people who still beleive that you will not do it again ... grow a brain ya mhabeel and realize that your attention seeking diva (the general will look amazingly good in drag since he's got no balls anyways) does not care about anyone other than him.

Default-user-icon 3onbecil Heureux (Guest) 11 February 2012, 17:40

The valliant Aoun is like the spinster who kept inventing ways to maintain herself as the talk of the town..Any Lebanese knows what she ultimately had to that made her the smell of the town instead

Default-user-icon Enough (Guest) 11 February 2012, 23:03

Aoun can not help himself, the poor man is insane. What is amazing is how his cheerleaders still jump up and down to defend him. It is a good thing that it was a clapping showdown and not an armed one, if bullets had been fired Aoun would have soiled himself. That could have been a terrible set back for Nasrallah's image, since he has diaper duties this month and it is impossible to change someone's dirty diapers via telecast.

Maybe this story is news worthy, the government might have accidentally provided its first useful action... The introduction of the clapping wars. Let us all hope this becomes the new trend in warfare.

Default-user-icon Think 2! (Guest) 12 February 2012, 23:20

Aoun is rude, crude and angry like most of his voters.
Aoun's ministers always blame others for their mess. In the past it was Saad Hariri and now it is Mikati and Suleiman. The sad fact is that they are as useless and most of them are as corrupt as their predecessors.
The only way for things to move forward is decentralize Lebanon. Today both Switzerland and Germany have great economies. Their political federal and confederal political systems help a lot.
We are secterian in Lebanon but at the same time we also have a national identity. Let our political system/social contract reflect that in the clearest and simplest way possible: a federal or confederal state. People will vote for those who can actually deliver an efficient administration and better social and economic policies.
I think Lebanon is ready for that.

Thumb ado.australia 13 February 2012, 04:04

Slash, are you saying that geagea doesn't get applauded while entering the church? It wasn't during mass. Anyway, who gives a crap... It's a nothing story!