Aoun Pledges 'Independent Foreign Policy', Vows to Protect Lebanon from Regional 'Fires'
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
President Michel Aoun pledged in his oath of office on Monday to endorse an "independent foreign policy" and to protect Lebanon from "the fires burning across the region."
Delivering the oath in parliament shortly after he was elected by the legislature as Lebanon's 13th president, Aoun stressed the need to “fully implement the (1989) Document of National Accord without any selectivity or exceptions” and to “improve it when needed through national consensus.”
“The first prerequisite of real equal (Christian-Muslim) power-sharing is the approval of an electoral law that ensures fair representation before the date of the next elections,” he added.
Referring to the conflicts in Syria and the region, Aoun said “preventing the spread of any spark” into Lebanon is among his top priorities as president.
“Accordingly, we stress the need to respect the charter of the Arab League, especially Article 8, while endorsing an independent foreign policy based on Lebanon's highest interest and respect for international law,” the elected president added.
Turning to the conflict with Israel, Aoun said: “We will spare no effort or resistance to liberate any Lebanese territory that is still under occupation or to protect our country from an enemy that still has ambitions regarding our land, water and national resources.”
As for the anti-terror fight, Aoun vowed a “preemptive and deterrent” strategy against terrorism.
“We must also address the Syrian refugee crisis through securing a quick return” for them to their country, Aoun added, stressing that “refugee encampments and gatherings must not turn into security ghettos.”
The elected president also pledged to “strengthen the army and boost its capabilities to enable it to repel all kinds of attacks on out country and so that it protects its homeland and its independence and sovereignty.”
Aoun's election ends a presidential void that lasted around two and a half years. The FPM founder was tipped to become president after his nomination was formally endorsed by al-Mustaqbal Movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri earlier this month.
Analysts have warned his election will not be a "magic wand" for Lebanon, which has seen longstanding political divisions exacerbated by the war in neighboring Syria and has struggled to deal with an influx of more than a million Syrian refugees.
The 81-year-old former army chief had long eyed the presidency, and his candidacy was backed from the beginning by Iran-backed Hizbullah, his ally since a surprise rapprochement in 2006.
31 October 2016, 16:50
175
Mabrouk Lebanon, and congratulations to the General!
(and condolences to the forum trolls lol)
31 October 2016, 17:28
511
Hilarious and Funny
@mowaten
What can one say, another E-X-C-E-L-L-E-N-T comment. I particularly enjoyed the part where you said "and condolences to the forum trolls lol "
Thank you for making this forum lively and vibrant.
Still laughing since January 2015.
Thank you Again
Yours
@CFTC
31 October 2016, 17:34
175
unable to make a valid comment, ice-norma-terrorist-liberty-galaxy etc etc??
no one expects the paid troll to !!
31 October 2016, 19:58
310
I respect Mr. the_roar for making a valid comment like everybody expects him to.
31 October 2016, 22:53
16
what about the former and current ( very current ) syrian and iranian agents?
01 November 2016, 08:16
13
the troll is angry at those who he claims 'were' Syrian agents but forgets that he is part of a community that are still iranian and syrian agents.
31 October 2016, 17:37
165
Congrats to the people of Lebanon who finally have a President.
Even further congrats considering the will of the people was chosen for once.
31 October 2016, 18:54
145
Trolls have taken the day off it seems. I've just hoping they blew their brains out or just decided to join their compatriotes in ISIS.
Squirm baby squirm...
31 October 2016, 19:05
83
Now that there is a strong christian brezident, HA will hide behind Nabih Berri to thwart any attempt to do nation building, and not appear to counter its ally.
For each nationalistic stance Aoun takes, we will get thugs on the streets who will protest for public sector salaries or public transport or some other Berrist inspired cause.
31 October 2016, 19:40
84
Agree. We actually don't have much of a choice at this point. Let's wish him good luck with building back this country and its institutions while preserving its freedom and openness. And let's pray that nothing will happen to him if someone starts thinking that he is going too far with this independent foreign policy thing.
31 October 2016, 19:18
125
mabrook to all Lebanese being residents or migrants, i mean Lebanese but not the hired trolls who have disappeared today for some reason!
Nice to see you flamethrower back!
31 October 2016, 19:39
48
in case they do, you can always fall back on your 100 other accounts.
31 October 2016, 20:29
103
@Naharnet mods are mostly of LF and Mustaqbal followers, i hope with this new page, they try to distinguish between the good and bad like their parties when finally they voted for Aoun as president..
31 October 2016, 20:49
132
What a refreshing sight, welcome back @ the-roar and @ flamethrower.
Mabrouk to all Lebanese.
31 October 2016, 23:07
12
did anybody notice how flamethrower and I appeared at the same time today after a very long absence. I hope people don't think we are the same poster.
01 November 2016, 08:29
13
it is very refreshing to see trolls having affinity for each other.
31 October 2016, 19:30
00
Stop blaming each other. Is this what we do as a nation just finger-point and blame. BLAME IS SHAME!
There was a consensus over Aoun and he was elected so give this guy a chance to do some of the things he is promising. He might be a good candidate and the right person at the right time.
31 October 2016, 19:55
26
19:32
الوزير السابق وئام وهاب لـ"الجديد": لو نزل حزب الله بأول الجلسات لكان أصبح سمير جعجع رئيسا للجمهورية، ولو نزل من سنة لكان أتى فرنجية رئيساً.
31 October 2016, 21:17
17
"fine political strategy" the troll says! hiding behind a terror militia and holding the country hostage is his fine political strategy. Today's elections were a disgrace. One candidate competing against himself and you people call that elections.... and by a parliament that Aoun described as illegitimate and illegal.
31 October 2016, 21:54
111
anonyme i'd shut up if i were you, all your predictions and "solemn truths" have turned out wrong, one after the other. at some point even you should be able to realize what an utter joke you are :D
31 October 2016, 21:55
121
what happened to your mantra of last week? i thought hezbollah had ordered berri to block and postpone the election? you swore it on your crystal ball!!
31 October 2016, 22:03
17
.mowaten. I'm not a big poster here but I have been using this site for over 42 years and recently I have been liking your posts, you're the only one informing these deluded ignorants. :)
31 October 2016, 22:49
110
مستشار خامنئي: انتخاب عون نصر لحزب الله
في أول رد من طهران، صرح علي أكبر ولايتي مسشار خامنئي في الشؤون الدولية أن انتخاب ميشال عون لرئاسة الجمهورية في لبنان، هو "انتصار لنصر الله والمقاومة وأصدقاء إيران".
وقال ولايتي في لقاء مع وكالة تسنيم المقربة من الأمن الإيراني إنه يبارك حسن نصرالله أمين عام "حزب الله" بشكل خاص لإنتخاب عون رئيسا للبنان، بسبب ما سماه العهد بين نصرالله وعون.
وقد ولايتي "تهنئته بصورة خاصة لحسن نصر الله على انتخاب ميشال عون رئيسا للبنان، قائلا، ان احدى الشخصيات الرئيسية في هذا الانتخاب هو حسن نصر الله، لان نصرالله تعهد لعون منذ البداية بتقديمه كمرشح للرئاسة.
وحول تاثير انتخاب عون على الأزمة السورية قال مستشار خامنئي إن انتخاب عون سيؤثر على القضية السورية بسبب ما سماه “دور عون الايجابي في دعم جبهة المقاومة في سوريا”.
http://www.alarabiya.net/ar/iran/2016/10/31/مستشار-خامنئي-انتخاب-عون-نصر-لحزب-الله.html
31 October 2016, 22:50
11
The only comment is valid, we have to respect the decision made by the representatives, members of the parliament. I think we have to feel confident and believe in the system of values, Congratulations !
31 October 2016, 23:01
16
إيران: حدودنا وصلت للبحر الأحمر والأبيض المتوسط
وأضاف نائب الحرس الثوري الإيراني، مخاطبا حشدا من قوات التعبئة "أنتم ترون كيف توسعت حدودنا وتخطت الحدود الإيرانية لتصل إلى البحر الأحمر وشرق البحر الأبيض المتوسط، هذا كله حصل بفضل دماء شهدائنا"، حسب ما جاء في وكالة تسنيم التابعة للأمن الإيراني.
http://www.alarabiya.net/ar/iran/2016/10/31/إيران-حدودنا-وصلت-للبحر-الأحمر-والأبيض-المتوسط.html
31 October 2016, 23:41
15
OMG ! OMG ! OMG!
Even on an article regarding Aoun pledging an independent foreign policy, I find you @mowaten spamming, trolling, and terrorizing other posters. What kind of person are you? New evidence surfaces by the minute that you are a paid poster but the question remains who pays you and for what exact purpose? Is it the Iranian embassy, is it the revolutionary guard, is it the syrian intelligence or the ex-KGB? These questions must be answered by you and NOW!
