Jumblatt on Aoun: It is not an honor to receive Bashar Assad’s support

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jumblatt 100Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt derided the endorsement of Free Patriotic Movement chief MP Michel Aoun for presidency by the embattled Syrian president Basher al Assad by asserting that this is not something to be proud of:

“It is not an honor for anyone to receive Bashar’s support.” Jumblatt told the Egyptian daily al-Ahram on Thursday stressing this is a Lebanese issue and Assad has no influence on the outcome.

“We will have the final word in this matter,” Jumblatt who wields a critical swing vote in Lebanon parliament said.

Jumblatt reiterated his support for the nomination of his parliamentary bloc member MP Henri Helou for the presidency, stressing that he is a moderate when compared to other nominees and will not withdraw his nomination.

“We will not withdraw Helou’s nomination for the sake of others regardless of what agreements are made. This is democracy.” Jumblatt told the daily.

Jumblatt is reportedly in the French capital to meet with Future Movement leader and former PM Saad Hariri to discuss the presidential election and go over a list of possible consensus candidates. According to well informed sources he vowed not to return to Lebanon without securing a deal with hariri on a possible candidate .

The Lebanese parliament failed again for the seventh time in a row to hold a session to elect the country’s new president to replace Suleiman whose terms ended on May 25.

As in the previous sessions , the vote could not be held as lawmakers allied with the Iranian backed Hezbollah militant group boycotted the voting for lack of agreement on a consensus president.

There are serious concerns that a prolonged vacuum at the Baabda presidential place would affect Lebanon’s power-sharing system under which the president should be a Christian Maronite, the speaker a Muslim Shiite and the PM a Muslim Sunni.

After Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea secured 48 votes last April 23, the Hezbollah led March 8 alliance including Aoun and Suleiman Franjieh walked out from the parliament to make sure there was no quorum to elect a president. They continued their boycott of the parliament during the 5 other sessions that followed .

Aoun has not announced his candidacy but he aspires to become a consensual nominee and has reportedly been waiting for Hariri to endorse him , but so far the Future Movement leader along with his March 14 allies is sticking with Geagea and most probable Assad’s endorsement is not going to much help for Aoun .

Geagea challenged Aoun to run against him or move on to plan B which calls for agreeing on a consensual candidate , Lebanese media reported last month.

Addressing the crisis in Syria, Jumblatt, a staunch critic of Assad, said last week that the Syrian regime was only capable of assassinating.”

“In Syria, there was a state and Bashar Assad turned it into a mob governing the people.” .

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9 responses to “Jumblatt on Aoun: It is not an honor to receive Bashar Assad’s support”

  1. Hannibal Avatar
    Hannibal

    The son of Fakhreddine comes out… Indeed it is not an honor to get the support of a hyena who ruined Syria and Lebanon.

    1. sweetvirgo Avatar
      sweetvirgo

      Not to mention a hyena who will continue to turn Lebanon into ashes

      1. Hannibal Avatar
        Hannibal

        who’s that? I’m baffled! 🙂

        1. sweetvirgo Avatar
          sweetvirgo

          LOL :))))

        2. AkhouManUki Avatar
          AkhouManUki

          Why you must be speaking of the great General, Presidente, Sayyed, Speaker, Prime Minister, and King Hassan Nasrallah. He wears many hats (and turbans). Now a hyena apparently too.

  2. arzatna1 Avatar
    arzatna1

    Forget about his age and ill health it is too late for Aoun to consider himself a “consensus” president…For many of us it is tough to forgive and forget … too much blood on his hand, betrayals, changing course and fence-jumping.

    I used to admire him when he was in self exile in France and thought he was a man of principle, but soon after he returned I realized he is just another commodity for sale to the highest bidder. His idea of “reform and change” turned out to be no more than employing his close relatives from son-in-law to nephews and obstructing the formation of every cabinet and the election of every president

    For all practical purposes it is over for Aoun. Who wants a Lebanese president who is endorsed by Bashar al Assad and who will be part of the Iranian Wilayat al Faqih axis.

    The Lebanese must think of moving the country forward and should look for young, progressive, educated professionals with vision. There are many successful Lebanese who fit this description.

    We as Lebanese have been very successful everywhere except in Lebanon . Time for us to focus on our country if we really want a modern democracy .
    Time for fresh thinking

    1. AkhouManUki Avatar
      AkhouManUki

      Aoun would be a great president – he has charisma, charm, and is a magnet for consensus. He is an inspiration for millions of people across the world. I predict that in his first year in office, Aoun will solve Lebanon’s electrical debacle and make major progress towards solving world hunger. That’s just the kind if guy he is.

      1. nagy_michael2 Avatar
        nagy_michael2

        You’re funny dude.. lol

    2. nagy_michael2 Avatar
      nagy_michael2

      Well you can’t blame Aoun after all Rustom Ghazeli showed up at his doorstep in France with a suitcase full of 30 Million dollars. Elie Hobeika sold out the LF because Syria enticed with money and power. As much as people don’t like Geagea he never waivered his political views. yes he may changed his minds on certain views but he never changed course no matter what..That’s why M8 is worried about him.

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