Aoun: Honesty Governs Relation with Hizbullah, LF Agreement Not against Anyone
Free Patriotic Movement founder MP Michel Aoun emphasized Thursday that the FPM's relation with Hizbullah is characterized by honesty and stressed that the recent rapprochement with the Lebanese Forces is “not targeted against anyone.”
“We always share the same vision regarding the urgent issues and our agreement with Hizbullah is based on grand and ethical ideas,” Aoun told Hizbullah's al-Manar TV in an interview marking ten years since Hizbullah and the FPM signed their famous Memorandum of Understanding.
“Our relation with Hizbullah is characterized by honesty, respect of vows and ethical behavior,” Aoun added.
He noted, however, that the MoU's fourth article that tackles “building the state” is yet to be implemented, adding that that must happen through state institutions.
Highlighting his strong “personal friendship” with Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Aoun promised Hizbullah's leader that the FPM will “honor its pledges” regarding “the fight against terrorism and Israel.”
Turning to the FPM's recent rapprochement with its long-time Christian rival the Lebanese Forces, Aoun emphasized that “the agreement with the LF does not harm anyone and is not targeted against anyone.”
In a surprise development, LF leader Samir Geagea endorsed Aoun's presidential bid during a landmark ceremony in Maarab last month. The declaration followed months of rapprochement talks between the two parties and a so-called Declaration of Intent joint paper.
Some observers have suggested that Geagea's move came in response to al-Mustaqbal movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri's proposal to nominate Marada Movement chief MP Suleiman Franjieh for the presidency although the LF chief has denied this.
Geagea said the endorsement was aimed at "emerging from where we are now to a safer position," in reference to the country's lengthy presidential void.
Y.R.
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