Aoun: If Conflict Erupts, It Won't Be Sectarian, But Rather for Reform

Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun on Tuesday stressed that any potential conflict in Lebanon would not be of "sectarian" nature, "but it would rather be for change and reform, which are more important than the Special Tribunal for Lebanon."

Aoun noted that all parties should be concerned with change and reform.

Speaking to reporters after the weekly meeting of the Change and Reform parliamentary bloc, Aoun noted that "there has been a financial coup since 1993, the year the 'Haririst school' assumed power."

"As to the security coup, it started in 2005," the FPM leader added.

Commenting on Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's recent visit to Lebanon, Aoun said: "The Lebanese people is hospitable and we delightfully welcomed Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad because he has always stood by Lebanon."

On the other hand, he stressed that "Israel controls the decision of war and peace," noting that "the Lebanese will be divided about it between those who will surrender to Israel and those who will resist it."

Aoun reminisced that "ten nations rejected to cooperate with international investigation commission," criticizing the latest U.S. call for supporting the U.N.-backed tribunal.

On Sunday, Jeffrey Feltman, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, said that U.S. President Barack Obama "firmly supports the work of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, as does the rest of the international community."

"There won't be stability in Lebanon without justice, and justice begins with trying the false witnesses," Aoun reiterated.