Aoun Meets Berri, Mufti Daryan, Urges Calm Political Practices during Current Phase
Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun noted on Tuesday that differences are a normal part of political life, stressing that he seeks national unity among Lebanese factions.
He said: “The differences are normal part of politics, which should be practiced calmly during this phase.”
He made his remarks after holding separate talks with Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Daryan and later Speaker Nabih Berri.
“We should overcome this phase with the least amount of damage and begin a new one characterized by national unity,” he added to reporters after the meeting the mufti at Dar al-Fatwa's headquarters in Beirut.
“We hope peace would prevail throughout Lebanon and the region,” he stated.
“Our ties with Dar al-Fatwa will not take a step back regardless of attempts to sabotage this relationship,” he continued.
Asked about the weekend's unrest in the northern city of Tripoli, the MP responded: “I believe that the crisis is over.”
He warned however of the existence of sleeper terrorist cells in other regions, such as Mhammara in the North, that may cause unrest in the future.
“Lebanon is affected by regional developments and we hope that the negative repercussions witnessed over the weekend will not happen again,” Aoun stated.
Moreover, he revealed that he was in contact with head of the Mustaqbal Movement MP Saad Hariri, saying that he recently received an verbal message from him.
He did not elaborate on the details of this message.
After meeting Berri, Aoun reiterated his opposition to extending the term of parliament.
He added however: "The parliamentary elections will not be held, but the extension will take place."
He also noted that the current conditions are not suitable to elect a new president.
Tripoli witnessed over the weekend clashes between the army and gunmen.
Several soldiers, gunmen, and civilians were killed in the unrest that erupted on Friday and lasted three days.
The army has since deployed in the city in order to detain fugitive gunmen.
M.T.
H.K.
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