Mario Aoun: I Didn’t Say al-Rahi’s Remark on Baroud was ‘Irresponsible’

Former minister Mario Aoun stressed on Tuesday that he described Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi’s remark on Caretaker Interior Minister Ziad Baroud as “unprecedented” but not “irresponsible.”

“I didn’t say it was irresponsible,” Aoun told Voice of Lebanon radio station. “It is unprecedented … We haven’t gotten used to such remarks from a high religious authority.”

The Free Patriotic Movement official made his comment a day after he said that al-Rahi’s remark hinted that the patriarch wanted Baroud “to be the country’s next president.”

Al-Rahi expressed support to Baroud on Sunday, saying he is a "patriotic minister who brings hope to every Lebanese."

FPM chief Michel Aoun and President Michel Suleiman have been at loggerheads over the interior ministry portfolio. Both want the ministry to be part of their share in the new cabinet. Suleiman insists on keeping the portfolio with Baroud.

Asked about efforts to form the government, Mario Aoun told VDL: “A de facto cabinet will be stillborn because it doesn’t respect the Christian majority.”