Aoun Refuses Marginalization, Vows more Protests
Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun denied on Tuesday that he is seeking to paralyze state institutions in an attempt to change the Taef Accord, saying his supporters' anti-government protests will continue.
“I totally reject this conclusion,” Aoun said. “Those paralyzing the institutions are the ones not respecting the Constitution and laws.”
“How would a decision be taken if we don't respect the law, the Constitution and the National Pact?” he asked in an interview published in An Nahar newspaper.
Aoun, who heads the Change and Reform parliamentary bloc, stressed that he is calling for law enforcement, saying “the Pact is the basis of governance in Lebanon.”
The lawmaker said that the recent street demonstrations held by his supporters are aimed at “giving back the patriotic rights of Christians, in addition to his ability to practice them.”
He refused to be marginalized and “not being consulted on important issues.”
Asked if he would react positively to a call made by his ally Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah for the rival blocs to attend parliamentary sessions, Aoun said: “We are discussing it.”
“We are agreeing on a certain formula,” he added.
On his ties with Speaker Nabih Berri, Aoun said the Amal Movement leader is free to back him or not for the presidency.
“I have said that the parliament is illegitimate but it is legal. There is a difference between the two.”
Berri said in recent remarks that he would not back Aoun for the presidency because he considers the parliament illegitimate for extending its own term in office last year.
Aoun also told An Nahar that he did not want to change the government. "There is no possibility to form another one," he said.
Asked if his supporters' latest protests have given consultations on the cabinet crisis a push, he said: “Our moves are escalatory and every time there will be something new.”
Prime Minister Tammam Salam has not invited the cabinet to convene this week after ministers failed during a session last week to agree on any issue.
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