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Is Aoun Moving to Jounieh?

Is Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun moving to a new residence in Jounieh?
The question was asked after a wave of rumors swept the city saying Aoun would move to a new residence that had been owned by the late MP Philippe al-Khazen.

The property was bought by an FPM official from Jean al-Khazen, son and heir of the late MP. FPM sources have not denied the rumors.

The mansion, located near Jounieh's cable car station, occupies a large stretch of terrain and is fenced in by cypress trees and barbed wire.

Witnesses in the city said construction work was underway to replace the barbed wire by a two-meter high cement fence to provide security for the new tenant.

The rumors listed several "Reasons" behind Aoun's alleged decision to move to Jounieh, including one saying the owner of his present residence in Rabieh wants to reclaim his property.

Another reason appears to be based on a political background and, according to the rumors, Aoun's aides advised him to move to Kesrouan province, being one of the region's representatives in parliament.

Such a move would enable Aoun maintain contact with voters who supported him in the 2005 elections, especially after Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea moved to Bzimmar, in the Kesrouan heartland, and following the mushrooming popularity of the Phalange Party in the region.

Aoun's new residence has been chosen because it represents the late Khazen's legacy as a representative of the tripartite alliance in the 1968 elections, which he won against followers of ex-President Fouad Shehab and his military intelligence department.

Such aides, according to the rumors, believe Aoun played alone in the 2005 elections the role of the famous tripartite alliance that grouped Lebanon's most famous late Christian leaders, ex-President Camille Chamoun, Phalange Party founder and leader Pierre Gemayel and founder-leader of the Nationalist Bloc Raymond Edde.

Aoun, in the eyes of his advisors, currently represents all these Christian leaders in confronting the March 14 coalition.

A third rumored reason behind Aoun's alleged move is that the step falls within the framework of dedicating him as political leader of the Christians, because Jounieh is reputed as the "Christians' Capital" abutting Bkirki, seat of Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir.

Beirut, 08 Jan 07, 15:55


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