Aoun: Political Accusation Must Stop, No Link between Crime, Govt. Departure
Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun on Tuesday reiterated his condemnation of the assassination of Intelligence Bureau chief Maj. Gen. Wissam al-Hasan, but stressed that “political accusation” must stop.
“Accusations must stop because there is nothing called 'political accusation,' which is something outrageous,” Aoun said after the weekly meeting of the Change and Reform bloc, referring to the March 14's camp accusation that the Syrian regime was behind the crime.
Commenting on March 14's calls for the resignation of the government in the wake of the assassination, Aoun stressed that “there is no link between the assassination and the presence of the government, as dozens of crimes happened during (ex-PM Fouad) Saniora's tenure.”
Turning to the issue of the unrest and deadly clashes sparked by al-Hasan's assassination, Aoun noted that security incidents did not stop even after former premiers Saad Hariri and Fouad Saniora urged their supporters to leave the streets following the attempt to storm the Grand Serail.
“I have the right to blame the crime on those who want to stir clashes among the Lebanese and we urge everyone to be vigilant,” said Aoun, stressing that “we must build the economy.”
“In my opinion, things will not deteriorate any further and the judiciary will perform its duties,” he added, noting that he supports the army “in every step it takes.”
“I don't want to accuse anyone and the issue must be examined by the judiciary. I'm not accusing or acquitting Syria, let us respect the judiciary,” Aoun said.
“I had said that amid these circumstances, Syria does not have the means to commit such a crime,” he answered when asked about remarks he had made.
Asked about March 14's boycott of parliament, Aoun said: “What does the crime have to do with parliament, state budget, the electoral law or the new wage scale?”
“We call on the lawmakers to resume their duties at parliament,” he added.
Commenting on the controversy sparked by reports of a recent attempt on his life in the southern city of Sidon, Aoun said: “I'm practicing self-restraint so that I don't reveal information I have about the attempt on my life.”
“I reserve the right to file a lawsuit against anyone who tried to exploit the attempt on my life,” he added.
Earlier on Tuesday, the public prosecution filed a lawsuit against persons unknown on charges of trying to assassinate Aoun in Sidon.
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