Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun said Hezbollah’s participation in the Syrian war is not part of his agreement with the militant group and stressed that he is against any intervention outside the Lebanese territory.
“This is a private initiative for Hezbollah, there is no agreement between us and them in that matter. We are against any intervention outside the Lebanese territory,” Aoun said in an interview with Al-Hayat newspaper which was published on Saturday.
“The resistance’s involvement in Syria is part of an understanding between the party and the Syrians,” he added in reference to Hezbollah.
“The situation in Syria is very dangerous and we want democracy to prevail there, but at the same time, we fear the rise of groups, like the Nusra Front, whose ascension to power will have a negative effect on Lebanon,” he said.
“We are trying to steer Lebanon away from conflict and we have so far succeeded thanks to the will of foreign countries that managed to influence local sentiments,” Aoun stated without naming the countries he has in mind.
Hezbollah has been widely criticized by Lebanese and Arab leaders for supporting the Alawite-dominated Syrian regime of President Bashar al-Assad against the mostly Sunni Syrian rebels who are trying to overthrow the 40 year old dictatorship . Thousands of Hezbollah fighters are fighting in Syria alongside the forces loyal to Assad and hundreds of them have been brought in coffins for burial in Lebanon. Alawites or Alawism is an offshoot of Shiite Islam and constitute the second largest Islamic sect in Syria and are mainly located in northwestern Syria.
Asked about his ties with Saudi Arabia, the MP replied: “There are no fundamental obstacles in our relationship, but some Lebanese political powers made it appear as if I oppose the kingdom.”
“Saudi Arabia helps maintain Lebanon’s stability and it strengthens its army,” he noted.
On his ties with Hariri, he commented: “We had our differences in the past, but they were resolved when we resigned from his cabinet” in 2011.
“Lebanon is his home and he is a political leader with his political weight,” he remarked.
On his ties with former PM Saad Hariri, he commented: “We had our differences in the past, but they were resolved when we resigned from his cabinet” in 2011.
“Lebanon is his home and he is a political leader with his political weight,” he remarked.
Aoun also reiterated that “Al-Qaeda is present in Lebanon, but under different names.” He also noted that the Lebanese army is not doing its job properly on the borders, due to its limited resources.
The newspaper also noted that the interview with Aoun was held a day before the explosion took off in the Beirut area of Dahieh.
A car bomb late Thursday afternoon went off on the main road between the Al-Roueiss and Bir al-Abed areas of Hezbollah’s Beirut stronghold of Dahiyeh, leaving 24 people dead and at least 248 injured.
Regarding the formation of the upcoming cabinet, Aoun accused designate-Prime Minister Tammam Salam of obstructing it.
“Salam is imposing pre-conditions on those who wish to be with him in the cabinet, which goes against the Lebanese system and the Taif Accord,” he said.
PM-designate Salam has been trying to form a cabinet based on giving an equal share to the rival political blocks – March 14 , March 8 and the centrists, but the Hezbollah led March 8 alliance is insisting on having a bigger share in the cabinet to allow it to veto its decisions . Salam has been opposed to giving any party a veto power ( usually referred to as a blocking third ) . He has recently been floating the idea of forming a neutral cabinet of technocrats, but Hezbollah and Aoun have been opposed to this idea too and this is why Lebanon is still without a government and Najib Miqati is still acting as the caretaker Prime Minister.
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