Monday 6 September 2010

Aoun Declares “Revolution” as Sleiman Says Negativity Unbeneficial


06/09/2010 Suddenly and without prior notice, the head of the Change and Reform parliamentary bloc MP Michel Aoun decided to declare the “revolution” against the deplorable situation of the country…

On Sunday, the General launched a verbal assault against politicians, including President Michel Sleiman and his ministers, over the lack of productivity in the cabinet and the country.

“How would we trust a judiciary which protects the false witnesses? How would we trust a judiciary which doesn’t accomplish its duties, and a government which takes unconstitutional measures?” he wondered in a speech he delivered after attending mass at St. Mikhayel church in Nabey.

Aoun assailed the Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau, saying it was illegitimate. “I accuse the Intelligence Bureau of arresting people and kidnapping them for months,” he said.

Turning to cabinet ministers, Aoun wondered “why the interior minister is still asleep and where the justice minister is.” He also accused the information minister of spreading rumors and the defense minister of standing idle unless he was personally targeted.

“What are the ministers doing? Are they sleeping? Why don't they resign?” the Free Patriotic Movement leader went on to ask, before assailing the President himself. “What is the president doing other than crying? He has taken the oath on the constitution and has vowed to preserve it. From now on, we have to see dismissals or resignations.”

Interior Minister Ziad Baroud and Defense Minister Elias Murr were quick to snap back at Aoun. According to Murr, “all of the Lebanese led by the president are crying in regret over the behavior of some people who are destroying the presidency.” Baroud in turn said that any president has to cry when he sees the level of political rhetoric these days.

NEGATIVITY UNBENEFICIAL, DOESN'T BUILD A STATE

Meanwhile, President Michel Sleiman said on Monday that the situation in Lebanon demands people to adopt a sense of responsibility, keep away from verbal disputes, and work on tackling matters with seriousness and calm. “Negativity, putting people down, and crying on regret are unbeneficial and do not build a state,” he pointed out.

Sleiman called on all those who are working in the public and political sectors “to stay away from the blame game and be above opportunism and instead adopt calm and balanced rhetoric.”

“The sensitivity of the situation in Lebanon cannot support risks, but holding wrongdoers accountable for their actions and maintaining polite rhetoric is necessary,” Sleiman stressed in what appeared to be an indirect response to Aoun’s comments.

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