Aoun: Expansion of Hizbullah Network in Zahle Must Be Resolved to Avert Another 'May 7'
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun stated on Tuesday that Hizbullah's expansion of its telecommunications network can be attributed to the failure to address this issue back in 2008 when this case first arose.
He said after the Change and Reform bloc's weekly meeting: “Whoever allowed Hizbullah to expand its telecommunications network in the Bekaa town of Zahle must resolve this issue to prevent unrest similar to that of May 7, 2008.”
“What did former Premier Fouad Saniora and then Ministers Marwan Hamadeh and Elias al-Murr do on May 5 and 7, 2008?” he asked.
“We did not allow the establishment of this network and I cannot resolve problems that emerged in the 1990s,” he declared.
Asked what the residents of Zahle should do to confront Hizbullah's actions, Aoun replied: “Let them block roads.”
Commenting on stalled efforts to exploit Lebanon's offshore oil and gas wealth, he remarked: “It seems that there is a conspiracy to prevent the country from exploiting this wealth.
“We all know who is responsible for calling the government to convene,” he added.
“It would be a disaster if we fail to exploit our oil wealth. It would be a shame if this wealth is not exploited due to some official's negligence,” the MP noted.
Gunmen belonging to Hizbullah and its allies swept through Beirut’s neighborhoods on May 7, 2008 after the government of then PM Saniora tried to dismantle the group's telecommunications network.
The fighting that left scores dead brought the country to the brink of a new civil war.
Tensions were running high in Zahle after members of Hizbullah attempted to expand the party's telecommunications network in the area on Sunday evening.
Residents of the city protested the move and temporarily blocked the road in the area.
The army soon intervened and set up checkpoints in the industrial zone and security forces deployed patrols in the city, which led to Hizbullah's withdrawal from the area.
There was an uproar in October 2011 when Hizbullah allegedly attempted to expand its telecommunications network in the Tarshish region on the outskirts of Zahle.
The residents thwarted the attempts and Telecommunications Ministry at the time denied any party actions in the region.
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17 September 2013, 17:11
Aoun on Hizbullah's attempt to expand its telecom network in Zahle: I am not responsible for problems that sprung up in light of the developments of May 7, 2008.
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17 September 2013, 17:10
Aoun: There will be no war in Lebanon over its oil wealth. On the contrary, this wealth will bring us peace because the countries interested in it are the one who control world peace.
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17 September 2013, 17:09
Aoun: The situation is unbearable and unacceptable.
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17 September 2013, 17:09
Aoun: Do we expect Syria to remain united after the end of the crisis? Do you think Lebanon will be spared this division?
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17 September 2013, 17:08
Aoun on Syrian refugees in Lebanon: Our proposals on this issue are falling on deaf ears. How about we allow the refugees to rent out the Grand Serail? Maybe officials will open their eyes about this issues when that happens.
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17 September 2013, 17:06
Aoun on Syrian crisis: I predicted that it would be resolved by an American-Russian agreement, which has started. The crisis will begin to end with the removal of Syria's chemical arms.
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17 September 2013, 17:04
Aoun: We discussed on Monday the latest developments in Lebanon with new U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon David Hale. We agreed on some points and disagreed on others.
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17 September 2013, 17:03
Aoun: It would be a disaster if we fail to exploit our oil wealth.
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17 September 2013, 17:03
Aoun: It would be a shame that this wealth is not exploited due to some official's negligence.
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17 September 2013, 17:02
Aoun: We all know who is responsible for calling the government to convene.
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17 September 2013, 17:02
FPM chief MP Michel Aoun after Change and Reform bloc's weekly meeting: It seems that there is a conspiracy to prevent Lebanon from exploiting its oil wealth.
17 September 2013, 17:25
1114
why lunatic? because he is blaming Mikati for not convening government and signing on the oil decree to give him time to buy mina properties before oil exploration starts?
17 September 2013, 18:41
219
This oil decree should never be signed. They're going to steal it.
If they do, until we have decent people governing Lebanon, I hope Israel or anyone will sabotage it.
17 September 2013, 19:15
720
he always hopes for israel to harm lebanon, if he's not israeli then he's a miserable stooge.
17 September 2013, 19:36
198
Southern, you forgot to mention an important part of the message. No oil with Bassil and naziallah around.
Movaten, you honour M8 by insulting those who think different. Keep insulting you're doing it well!
17 September 2013, 20:04
717
i dont take honor lessons from someone who says he hopes israel will sabotage lebanon. take a hike traitor.
17 September 2013, 20:08
198
It's not my duty to lecture and educate you. You can blame your parents for failing to do the right thing. Sorry dude!
17 September 2013, 17:25
32
Let him shut up and spare us his press conferencees after his weekly meeting, he has no added value for the future of Lebanon, he never had in the past
17 September 2013, 17:25
1214
You make sense ya general. Only revise your ungodly alliance with the party of Iran...
17 September 2013, 17:41
215
Honestly friend. that is the only thing you see wrong with his actions? his alliance with HA? that's it?
17 September 2013, 19:59
418
Hulk.
Aoun is the only one who talks about files that interest me:
Stop syrian refugee inflows
Do new elections for parliament
Start with the oil decrees
Send to the private sector all those employees Berri bloated EDL witn
I dont agree about his past. I dont agree how he bombed geagea and weakened the christians so we be at the mercy of medieval hassan and assir.
And I dont like his allies. Assad and Nasrallah. However I like his domestic agenda.
17 September 2013, 17:41
620
Listen, if he is not with Iran, he is with Saudi Arabia. Now, unless he is interested so much in petro-dollar, he is better off with Iran. Iran is a progressive form of Islam. Iran did not sell the Arabic cause as Saudis did last century to the British and they still do. Iran never attacked any Arabic country while Saudis paid Saddam to attack Iran. The spread of Shiaaism is a lie because Shiia is not a preaching religion (while Christianity and Sunnis are: regardless of the method of preaching).
17 September 2013, 17:56
226
your an idiot. How about you not be with either and BE WITH LEBANON! as far as religion is concerned, everyone is free to worship whatever the hell the want but not force their beliefs on their neighbor and we can all live in peace and co-exist. ever thought of that? or is it your goal to incite sectarian hatred?
17 September 2013, 18:39
717
putin1: you sya facts, and you're faced with juvenile comments. sad illustration of the debates here.
17 September 2013, 19:07
155
One of Khomeini's most important aspects after the Islamic revolution overthrew the shah was the export of the same Islamic revolution. So that is NOT fact. A progressive form of Islam? It's a carbon copy of saudi except women can drive. Woohoo. How with the times they are. While most gcc countries you can drive. Not be forced to wear an abaya. Drink. Go clubbing. Swim. But Iran is progressive. Hahaha.
17 September 2013, 19:22
517
where did he export it? what countries have had an islamic revolution on the model of iran? ......
on the other hand, look at the export of wahhabism, egypt, libya, sudan, yemen, irak, afghanistan, (syria next?)
look at the crimes committed in all these countries against other sects, the slaughter of christians, shias, copts, alawites etc etc etc...
17 September 2013, 19:27
516
"It's a carbon copy of saudi except women can drive."
geeze arzak, you're making a fool of yourself here.
-in iran the parliament and government is elected and makes most the laws, in saudi it's absolute monarchy
-in iran non-muslims do not need to obey sharia, they can drink alcohol for instance, and generally produce buy sell consume non-halal products.
-women are not the property of men
-there are reerved seats in parliment for christians and armenians (9 seats) and for jews (2 or 3 seats)
those represent a weight in parliament that is about tens times their % in the population.
-there are 36 synagogues in teheran and i dont have the figure for churches,but they were never attacked. in saudi all other religions are simply banned.
17 September 2013, 19:46
134
Elected? Like Ahmadinejad was re-elected? And for your info. Khameni is the supreme leader. Can veto anything this "elected" parliament votes for. Something like hmm let me think. A KING!!!
It is illegal to buy or produce alcohol in Iran. Period. Home brewing is common. As it is in saudi but illegal non the less.
There are churches in 99% of Sunni countries. With the sole exception being saudi. In fact in other gcc countries the sheikhs and Amirs paid for said churches.
Sharia is THE law in Iran as it is in saudi. Doesn't matter if you are Christian. Muslim or atheist.
Just because he couldn't export it does not mean he didn't want to. Go look up his speeches about the export. Or if you like I can post a few for you.
And I'm making a fool of myself?
17 September 2013, 19:48
144
I can also post you a few Shia sheikhs who say the same crazy stuff about women as the Saudis. Yes. Iranian Shias.
17 September 2013, 19:49
154
Last but not least. Minorities are not attacked in Iran? Can you tell that to the Baha'is? Or how about the Sunnis in Baluchistan?
17 September 2013, 20:22
143
Mowaten, and I use that term very loosely. Neither you or putin1 are lebanese. If you were, you would not speak so highly of another country without ever, and i mean ever, trying to speak of what it takes to make your country better from within. Show me one comment you have ever written on here is about Lebanon and not a militia. One comment for one second can help Lebanon as whole. you want to debate? let's debate on how we can make our country a state we can be proud of! not a state so loyal to other countries that they fight their wars for them and spill the blood their Lebanese children while preserving the blood of the petro dollar collectors. How about you talk about that for once you traitor!!!!!!!!!!!!!
17 September 2013, 20:25
314
yes and Ahmadinejad lost the last one, and he won the previous one. the "green" movement was a twitter movement which originated outside iran (thousands of tweets actually came from israel) so get your facts straight.
there is a supreme leader yes, but he only interferes on top matters. yes, it's not a democracy, but there is a huge difference between saudi where the king makes all decisions on a whim.
also in saudi they hold all the wealth of the country in one family (of thousands of princes, ya latif)whereas in iran wealth is distributed in a much more decent way.
also, dont give me "full stops" when you're wrong, you only make a fool of yourself even more
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_in_Iran
" Christian and Jewish citizens are allowed to consume, manufacture and trade alcohol."
17 September 2013, 20:26
314
hulk-smash: we're not lebanese because we dont lie about iran? rofl, go take a hike you paid shill are the least lebanese here.
17 September 2013, 20:28
314
arzak: and i can find some christian priests in the states who say the same crazy stuff, so what?
it's not what a few nutcases say, it's how the country functions. in saudi it's the nutcases who run the country, and they have full absolute power, and that's the problem. i dont have anything against saudi people, i actually feel with them because their leadership is a hideous monstrosity.
17 September 2013, 20:53
133
mowaten- ghas min 3an ra2bitak wou ra2bit imak ana Libneneh. I love my country and don't need to get paid to speak of love for my country. There is no denying that you are a shill, anyone with half a brain can tell that from your comments.
BTW- how does it feel now that your bosses are at the end of their roptes? Lebanon will come out of this stronger when all the dust settles and you will have to look for an honest job instead of being a paid shill.
rou7 ballet el ba7er.
17 September 2013, 19:10
1511
“What did former Premier Fouad Saniora and then Ministers Marwan Hamadeh and Elias al-Murr do on May 5 and 7, 2008?” he asked.
Umm. They tried to dismantle said communication network?? I don't get his point.
17 September 2013, 19:18
1316
what danger does the telecom network pose for lebanon? none
what danger does it pose for israel? a huge one, without it HA is practically neutered.
siniora's illegitimate cabinet (not constitutional since it did not include representatives of all sects) tried to do israel a huge gift, but they failed. miserably. as usual.
who
17 September 2013, 19:38
158
Danger to Lebanon? You are free to have HA listen in to your conversation. Free to have your own right to privacy invaded. Let alone by a non-governmental institution. But you do not speak for me. I am free too. With my own choices. Which do not correspond to yours.
And he is talking in the context of not allowing HA to continue. So what is the question? They did what he is saying HA should not do. To avoid another may 7.
17 September 2013, 20:02
915
the HA telecom network is distinct from other networks, there is no privacy involved. the very reason why they built an entirely separate network was to prevent israeli eavesdropping.
a strong state, that does not bow to israeli demands would legalize the network, not declare war on its resistance and put the entire nation at risk
17 September 2013, 20:05
1211
Mowaten:
Please elaborate how does the installations and expansion of the H.A. network help the Lebanese to rid the Palestinian and Syrian problem, and, meanwhile, diminish Israel's influence on Lebanon? By the way, you really shouldn't be saying "that it poses a huge danger to Israel". If this is the intent, then H.A. once again openly and notoriously inciting Israel to attack Lebanon. Also, if indeed Israel is pumping oil that arguably does not belong to them, what has Lebanon, Iran or Saudi Arabia done anything about it? I don't like people taking advantage and/or stealing from me, and I am pissed off. Unless the region they are pumping from does not clearly belong to either country, and "first come first serve" is fair. If so, who has prevented Lebanon from setting up the offshore oil drills? Who has held back Lebanon?
17 September 2013, 23:07
96
mowaten
you are truly an idiot. i don't think i have ever seen someone rationalize a illegal and immoral act as much as you congrats.
"what danger does the telecom network pose for lebanon? none"
SERIOUSLY, what country in the world lets a militia set up its own telecom network within a country? And while we are at it, this people/army/resistance thing that is spoken of, where in the world is this done?
18 September 2013, 01:53
96
"what danger does the telecom network pose for lebanon? none"
Mowaten Irani: Please tell me you were being sarcastic. Because surely not even brainwashed traitors like you could be so ignorant: Remind me again, who murdered half of our Lebanese politicians while communicating on said illegal phone network in order to not be detected like they were when they murdered Hariri?
18 September 2013, 06:33
54
Sure. I'm sure you were an engineer that knows the exact purpose of the network and installed it single handedly. Keep coming with your own fictional excuses to defend them.
17 September 2013, 18:42
1710
Long live the resistance, the zahle resistants resisting the terrorist organization known as Hezbollah.
17 September 2013, 18:47
33
He claims to protect Christian rights, but it's clear he has zero influence on his allies. Just like the puppet he clearly is.
17 September 2013, 18:54
1318
israelis started pumping in a field that is between us and them. every year we waste it's millions of cubic meters sucked out.
17 September 2013, 18:55
1016
it's the prime minister, miqati. no need to name him since we all know it as you say.
17 September 2013, 18:57
919
it wont remain underground, it will be sucked out by israelis. i'd rather burn it them let them have it, not just because i hate them, but because that income will finance the future bombs they'll drop on us.
17 September 2013, 18:57
916
because he is not a child like you. in politics you meet everyone, even your opponents.
17 September 2013, 18:58
715
he made one prediction and was wrong. ok.
how many predictions did you all make? assad in done in two months! in two weeks! his days are counted.... blablabla
17 September 2013, 19:00
816
also, even assuming an portion of it will be lost in corruption, it would still mean tens of billions of dollars, enough to compensate for what hariri stole.
17 September 2013, 19:00
12
Wolf, just remember who was in power in Lebanon when those so called trials took place. While I am no fan of Geagea, any trials or verdicts that took place during the dark period of Syrian occupation is more than suspect. If anything, those trials indicate that Geagea was perceived as a threat by the Syrians.
As to the inter-Christian fighting, there is plenty of blame that can be shared by both sides.
17 September 2013, 19:01
716
first, this was never his slogan, and second he was being sarcastic, but that too fell on deaf ears.
17 September 2013, 19:02
915
he was speaking of the US, China, Europe, who need oil and who would be prepared to give us guaranties if we sell them oil.
17 September 2013, 19:03
916
what's the link between that and christian rights!? you really have a very lose definition of "proof" i see
17 September 2013, 19:05
916
HA is not terrorist by Lebanese standards. only for traitors who follow israel and the US it is. for us lebanese it is the resistance, and it's communication network is an essential element in their capacity to resist israel. trying to dismantle it, under a decision by an unconstitutional cabinet is not courage, it's working for the enemy.
17 September 2013, 19:07
817
no he is trying to avert it. it's those who are trying to create a new may 2008 who are morally bankrupt. this communication network causes harm to no one but israel. trying to dismantle it serves no national interest.
17 September 2013, 19:10
916
protect them from what? a telecom network is threatening them?
the only reason they are doing all this reaction is to try to harm hezbollah, not defend themselves from an invisible threat.
17 September 2013, 19:16
144
Regarding the oil, and like Fatma Gul, once you sign the contracts and the commissions are paid, it's too late. In the current situation, oil contracts will go to the entity willing to pay the most bribes.
17 September 2013, 19:21
154
Research Aoun's bombardment of qulay3at. So Aoun can ally with other war criminals and like Berri and Nassrallah but not Geagea. Shawkeh bi 3aynak mbayan Geagea.
P.S. he was not convicted of the church bombings even under Syrian tutalege. And he went to jail for refusing Syrian hegemony over Lebanon when he was offered ministerial portfolios and refusing. In your eyes if he had accepted he would have avoided jail. And been a clean man for accepting Syria.
But you hate on him for being a killer during a civil war. And prop up the others. There are better uses for the oxygen you are wasting.
17 September 2013, 19:55
134
Roar let us get one thing clear. I do NOT support this man or any other man. I support my principles which are Lebanese through and through.
In regards to this man. Throw him back in jail for all I care. As long as Berri. Nasrallah. Jumblat. Franjieh. Aoun. Etc. etc. are thrown in with him. He is not the only one who killed. Either judge them all or none. That's just double standards. He went to jail for the sole reason he did not now to the Syrians and take the ministerial portfolios he was offered. If he did he would not have seen a day behind bars. THAT is my point. Hope you understand it now
17 September 2013, 23:55
93
Ok wolf. You are so so clever. Wow. My shoe is jealous of your iq.
Aoun still held into his power after a legitimate govt was elected (as all were under the Syrians) he is power hungry. Started a war he was nowhere man enough to start and opened more gates of hell on us. He sold his principles that he constantly mentioned in France and his recalled orange book. He left the battle field and left the real soldiers of the laf get slaughtered while he was on his way to moulin rouge. And the forgot about the ones rotting in Syrian jails. He is a coward who left his wife and kid to save his own skin. Not worthy of being called a general.
Go ahead and keep thinking I am an lfer. I won't lose one wink of sleep.
17 September 2013, 19:24
154
Given the current state of affairs in the region, can there be an any more irrelevant player than Michel Aoun, as a hanger on to a War Criminal Regime that is on its way out of power?? Than Michel Aoun whose claim to power in Lebanon is the number of seats his party holds in a Parliament whose mandate expired 3 months ago? Only in Lebanon could this irrelevant person hold a press conference and the press actually show up.
Cheers!
17 September 2013, 21:17
514
God bless General Aoun for his staunch patriotism, defense of Lebanon's democracy, and opposition to February 14-sponsored Wahabism.
17 September 2013, 21:22
43
Aoun has abondoned the Christians in order to appease Iran and Syria with hope that he will one day become president even though he keeps getting older..instead of tackling the Hezbollah trying to take over Lebanon issue, he tries to play the blame game like always. All you supporters of his should turn in your Lebanese passports and join Bashar's war in Syria
17 September 2013, 21:22
134
"HA is not terrorist by Lebanese standards." no, just an outlaw not respecting lebanese laws when it is not in their interests...
"for us lebanese it is the resistance" please do not take your fantasies for reality... you must say for some lebanese...even the minority of lebanese!
"an essential element in their capacity to resist israel" outside any control of the lebanese state which makes them outlaws!! we have an army to defend the state not a bunch of iranian paid mercenaries!
"trying to dismantle it, under a decision by an unconstitutional cabinet is not courage, it's working for the enemy."
no it is working for the state of lebanon and its security... stop using your israeeli pretext each time one is against your militia!!! pure propaganda... as usual with mooooowaten!
17 September 2013, 21:24
94
"trying to dismantle it serves no national interest."
yes it does! it serves the country by asserting the power of the state and its institutions... having a party outside any control of the gvt is just weakening it and proving how unlebanese they are by taking the role of the state!
17 September 2013, 22:56
115
Let them have their own telecom circuit at least this way Israel won't have to hack into our normal networks and do Hizbullah's instead. Beside one day they will be no more and we can use this telecom network for high-speed internet!
My only concern is the M14 leaders that will be killed using this telecom network which obviously the government won't be able to investigate.... oh well the sacrifices we have to take for high-speed internet!
18 September 2013, 00:13
77
It is time to call for an internal truce. Michel Aoun is right to speak about our oil and gaz reserves. I don't care about his motives as long as they coincide with the interests of Lebanon.
It is time to stop talking about what drives us apart as Lebanese and focus on what our interests as individuals are.
We are wasting so much time shouting at one another about the Syrian conflict. We are loosing very precious time and forgoing great opportunities to put our house in order.
We all want a secure and prosperous Lebanon. Let's push the politicians whom we elect to work for us first (they can then work for their paymasters in Iran, Saudi or the US).
18 September 2013, 04:54
12
This is a joke. Let the people block roads to confront Hizb. Where does the government stand on this? Just because the expansion didn't happen on your watch Aoun doesn't mean that you wash your hands from it. You are part of the current government. If you can't resolve the problems of the Lebanese citizens, then you should find another job (sangareh maybe?).
18 September 2013, 06:27
84
Not Paying Electricity is also part of the defense strategy? Using the Gov. telecom infrastructure to build a private tenant in the same Lebanese space is similar to the Palestinians attempting to take over and overrun the country in 1975.
18 September 2013, 07:33
33
you are truly dense.. when did i say he does not have blood on his hands?
he is the only one who apologized to what he did during the war.. can you show me berri apologizing? how about hasoon? jumblat maybe?
again.. and no matter what camel you are sitting on.. he was offered ministerial portfolios.. he refused under syrian tutelage and THAT is the only reason he is in jail..
did he admit he bombed the church? nope..did he admit to 90% of the things you accuse him of? nope.. but he did not deny he was a warlord in a country full of warlords.. and killed.. as did all..
only an ignorant person would see someone apologizing for having blood on his hands as you do and someone who DOES NOT apologize but with blood on his hands as a hero.. you are lacking..
and next time you can click reply.. so i can see your post.. not mistakenly wander across it.. thats why they put the button there.
18 September 2013, 09:30
52
i am just asking; is not in times of all the ones, who are now want to take out HA weapons, HA grew n got strong? we all know cancer must be treated early why you waited all these years n not done something? GMA in 1988 asked you all to join in fighting syria n take off all illegal arms why did you all fought him?? you have changed your mind? ok this happens everyone can change his mind. Now do you have a plan how you are going to take off the arms of HA? can you inform us how? if you got a nice plan better than of general we are glad to see it with your wide minds
18 September 2013, 14:06
31
well ya lbf, you need to adjust your facts n dont jump periods of times n to wrong conclusions, if u hate him that does not give the right to mislead the facts, first all were opposing him second jaja made a deal with hrawi n the letter is on the web now u can search for it he joined the syrians to attack general. Please let your opinion be based on true facts not on senses this way you will not build an argument so i won't reply coz it will be your opinion. will all my respect to you
