Aoun Hails 'Very Positive' Talks with Hariri, Urges Separating Presidency from 'Package Deal'

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Free Patriotic Movement founder MP Michel Aoun on Tuesday hailed his latest meeting with al-Mustaqbal Movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri as “very positive,” while noting that the presidential vote must not hinge on a prior agreement on so-called “package deal.”

“There have been attempts since 2005 to reach an understanding between us and Hariri and the latest attempt was the closest to reaching an understanding,” Aoun said in an interview on OTV.

“My meeting with Hariri was very positive regarding the presidency,” he stated.

Asked whether his presidential chances have surged in the wake of the latest developments, Aoun said: “I cannot say that I have become president or that I inched closer to the presidency before taking the oath of office, but what's important is the vision of the president and his ability to resolve problems.”

“There is no conflict between me and Hariri regarding the implementation of the Taef Accord,” he added.

“We agree with Hariri on the National Pact, especially that the martyr Rafik Hariri respected the National Pact when he was in power,” Aoun went on to say.

“The outcome of my meeting with Hariri was positive and he has some things to arrange and I hope the situation will end positively,” the FPM founder added.

And noting that the “negative responses” of some political parties “confirm that the issue of our agreement with Hariri is serious,” Aoun added admitted that “al-Mustaqbal Movement has concerns and we understand them.”

Separately, the FPM founder lamented that “there is a lot of media disinformation” regarding his relation with the Sunni community.

“The memorandum of understanding with Hizbullah is not targeted against Sunnis and the proof is that we agreed in national dialogue on everything that the document mentions,” he noted.

“Who can imagine Lebanon without Sunnis? No one can eliminate the other,” Aoun added.

“National unity is the strongest weapon to defend Lebanon,” he stressed.

Asked about his relation with Speaker Nabih Berri, Aoun said “the relation with Berri is good in principle and there is no disagreement with him in politics.”

“I told Speaker Berri that I did not mean him with the 'illegitimate' label but rather the entire parliament seeing as it was not elected by the people,” he added.

As for the so-called “package deal” that Berri has called for, Aoun said that “there shouldn't be preconditions regarding the election of the president and the Constitution must be respected in this regard.”

“Agreements are part of political action but they must conform with the law,” he said.

“The election of the president is an independent process that is not linked to any package deal and (Maronite) Patriarch (Beshara) al-Rahi's stance was aimed at warning against violations,” Aoun added.

Turning to Hizbullah's stance regarding the latest developments, Aoun underlined that “Hizbullah is still seeking to continue its role regarding the presidency.”

“I'm satisfied with its stance towards me,” he added.

Aoun also noted that he “trusts” Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea in his support for his presidential bid and that the patriarch “is not obliged” to back his nomination.

Hariri's return to Lebanon has triggered a flurry of rumors and media reports about a possible presidential settlement and the possibility that the former premier has finally decided to endorse Aoun for the presidency in a bid to break the deadlock.

Lebanon has been without a president since the term of Michel Suleiman ended in May 2014 and Hizbullah, Aoun's Change and Reform bloc and some of their allies have been boycotting the parliament's electoral sessions, stripping them of the needed quorum.

Hariri, who is close to Saudi Arabia, launched an initiative in late 2015 to nominate Marada Movement chief MP Suleiman Franjieh for the presidency but his proposal was met with reservations from the country's main Christian parties as well as Hizbullah.

Hariri's move prompted Geagea to endorse the nomination of Aoun, his long-time Christian rival, after months of political rapprochement talks between their two parties.

The supporters of Aoun's presidential bid argue that he is more eligible than Franjieh to become president due to the size of his parliamentary bloc and his bigger influence in the Christian community.

Comments 9
Thumb thepatriot 04 October 2016, 22:06

Again... I am glad I left this poor country of mine... I would have left anyway, should Aoun turn to be President... his election would be a clear surrender of the Nation to Ebola...

Thumb thepatriot 04 October 2016, 22:09

He is an old fool and a lunatic that has destroyed and divided this country on several occasions... our people doesn't learn from their mistakes!

Missing humble 04 October 2016, 22:47

If Ebola who gave him so much money doesn't trust him how do you expect anyone to trust him

Missing humble 04 October 2016, 22:52

Yes. He is much more than lunatic. He is mentally ill...a psychotic supermegalomaniac who has continuous schyzofrenia crisis. He is unstable and believes he is NapoleAoun, St Paul or the new Christ. Majnun.

Thumb shab 05 October 2016, 00:13

By nominating Aoun, Hariri will draw a wedge between Amal and the filthy murdering militia, and expose their intentions.

Thumb shab 05 October 2016, 17:48

No doubt their aim is the same, but they still hate each other. Let's see what happens. AThis time another May 7 will be different

Thumb thepatriot 05 October 2016, 03:44

By nominating Aoun, Hariri will take Lebanon back to the Dark ages... Lebanon is doomed... Geagea made the mistake... Hariri will soon make it too... may God have mercy on Lebanon...

Thumb liberty 05 October 2016, 05:18

Hariri is the single most destructive influence in Lebanon's future.

Thumb barrymore 05 October 2016, 11:30

his weakness is, yes.