Aoun: No One Wants New Cabinet, Nusra Members Arriving in Lebanon with Suicide Belts
Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun on Tuesday noted that the new cabinet will not be formed anytime soon due to conditions and counter-conditions as well as foreign dictates, warning that the extremist al-Nusra Front has started infiltrating the country from neighboring Syria.
“I don't know who will the cabinet consist of if it will not represent the political parties. They are also speaking of a rotation of portfolios and this is shameful, that's why we realized that no one wants the cabinet to be formed and let the Lebanese act accordingly,” Aoun said after the weekly meeting of the Change and Reform bloc in Rabiyeh.
“We discussed several issues during the meeting, topped by the issue of security, as al-Nusra Front members have started arriving in the country with their suicide belts and equipment and certain parties are offering them a safe haven in Lebanon,” Aoun warned.
“Where are all the security agencies? The police, the army, the General Security and the Judicial Police? It turned out that al-Nusra Front is present in Lebanon and we can't remain silent,” he added.
The army announced on Sunday the arrest of a number of individuals for transporting weapons in the Bekaa region of Arsal.
The Beirut-based, pan-Arab television al-Mayadeen later reported that the army arrested five people -- two Syrians, a Lebanese and two Palestinians -- who were carrying "suicide vests."
"Uniforms carrying al-Nusra Front badges were found in their possession and they were on their way to Arsal's barren mountains with the aim of infiltrating Syrian territory," the National News Agency said.
“We mentioned the refugees and their numbers and we tackled the security aspect of the issue, but they accused us of racism and here we are now sitting on a keg of gunpowder,” Aoun warned.
He stressed that the caretaker cabinet “can't resign from its duties regarding the security issues.”
Asked whether Hizbullah's military intervention in Syria was the reason behind the deteriorating security situation in Lebanon, Aoun said: “Prior to Hizbullah's intervention in Syria, acts of sabotage started in the North and assassination tools were stockpiled in Sidon, that's why we are not surprised that these incidents are happening."
Commenting on the controversial issue of extending the term of Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji, Aoun said: "As long as the caretaker cabinet can convene, why do we need a law to appoint a new army commander? ... I accuse those obstructing the appointment of a new army chief of conspiracy, because this is unacceptable."
over 10 years
while proof must be shown that Aoun wants his son in law to become army commander.. even though it is not that far fetched.. i mean come on.. who wouldn't do the impossible to have people loyal to himself in high positions... speaking of proof.. does anyone have proof that Bahiya hired the said lawyers to represent the assiris?? or is that accusing people based on someones own assumptions of a PROBABLE behavior they COULD be doing in the UNCERTAIN NOW???
over 10 years
Aoun either gets what he wants, or he burns the whole place down. What's this complex he has?!
What is he talking about? Why can't he just let Salam form his government? If his gov fails, vote him out! ... It's gona be hard for him to top the 6hour daily blackouts in Beirut!
over 10 years
The roar... Ur father was in the army in Lebanon, yea?
over 10 years
I really wonder who these moderators are. I mean don't get me wrong, it's great they're employing people with special needs, but maybe this job is better suited for more qualified ppl??
Same as the cabinet...
over 10 years
He does want that. He mentioned him nonchalantly a few days back. We all know that. Since he couldn't get the presidential seat, he's gonna try to get a family member in there.
over 10 years
FT....like :) General threw their poker table on them..they were gambling with all countries resources n fortunes increasing their power n filling their pockets..God bless GMA for coming n stopping them hoping that all will be judged n punished by the law in that day only a true government will rise.
over 10 years
FT, yes i saw the news reports.. depending on which channel you are watching akeed... but what i read is that Many lawyers have offered their services pro bono to all "assiris" not involved in the fighting that were wrongfully imprisoned. Bahiya made a call to lawyers to also offer their services, again pro bono, but not to those involved in the fighting and killing of our armed forces but for those who had nothing to do with it and are in jail because they agreed with assir's rhetoric prior to the fighting.
over 10 years
Waaaaaaaaatttt??? Man I live in hamra, n lately it's been going off twice a day! Especially after the saida shoot out. Say what u want man, I own two businesses in hamra, and I know first hand of what M8 did to our economy!
over 10 years
the_roar, you are blind; it is sad to see a smart person like you, follow blindly your corrupt general. Your general got his chance and he proved very incapable so why you keep holding on to him. He is always contradicting himself... The Lebanese Forces were not allowed to carry weapons and he wanted to eliminate them but Hizbullah is ok to carry weapons, in his opinion… Your general is a senile man. He has proven this time and again… Nothing adds up with this senile man. And you are my friend much more smarter than this, as I see that from your post. I would like you to re-examine your loyalty. Remember, I am loyal to a cause, not to a person. I am loyal to a country and not to a corrupt politician. I wish you were the same…
over 10 years
What does any of this have to do with cabinet formation?
The roar, man it's getting really bad here, and we don't have a gov to fix anything. Can u plz explain to me why you would be against a technocrat cabinet?
Why is it bad if we give Salam a chance to try?? Isn't that how democracy works? He was chosen prime ministers, so why can't he just choose his cabinet?
Plz dont say m14 is standing in the way. They said they're willing to agree, why is that bad?
over 10 years
Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun on Tuesday noted that the new cabinet will not be formed anytime soon due to conditions and counter-conditions as well as foreign dictates..................
Mr. Aoun, Cabinets are not formed by conditions and counter-conditions. Cabinets are formed according to the constitution whereby MP and President select names of Ministers representing all sects and then the parliament either grants or denies confidence. I thought you are championing giving the President more powers and here you are taking away the only remaining power he still have.
over 10 years
I always liked that picture that Nahar puts of Aoun, like the one at the head of this article. It should be captioned "Aoun in command" Look at Lebanon today, the total chaos, and this is the product of "Aoun in Command"
over 10 years
If Nasrallah descended from Phoenecians then I must descend from Koreans.
over 10 years
That is because you have been with so many real men. We have a lable for women like you (or men like you).
over 10 years
I love it when lebpatriot is really lebtraitor.
And when the seductive avatar is really an ugly man
and when feminine avatar speaks like a real man.
You are the opposite of everything you advertise or say.
over 10 years
Nasrallah claims to be a sayyid which means he is makkawi, meaning arab from mecka. In todays terms, he is saudi.
over 10 years
Lebpatriot2 are you a sarcasm account or the real deal? If you are serious then you need to get mental help ASAP. If you are being sarcastic then please be more clear as its easy to missunderstand with all the wacko nasrallah worshiping shiites out there.
over 10 years
wow dude, just wow
why don't you refute this statement with other information instead of acting like a irrational rabid follower?
the ex-general really doesn't need anyone to put a foot in his mouth--just give him a mic and he will give you lots of quotes.
over 10 years
The ex-general claims that no wants a government--why doesn't he walk in the streets and ask poeple if they want a government or not--chances are, he will get a different answer.
As to why not rotating cabinet position, perhaps the general hasn't hoticed that Lebanon has moved up dramatically on the most corrupt states in the last couple of years--coincidentally, this is the time the this M8 government has taken over. If he is so anti-corruption, why does he not see this as a NEEDED step?
and the reason why he doesn't want to extend Gen Kahwaji's is that he wants another family member to take the post--seriously, tis is getting old.
over 10 years
Take a Valium
over 10 years
Do you always make your political choices based on naharnet comments?
over 10 years
FT u have no explanation for that. It goes against your personal beliefs. Just say what it really is, u trust aoun knows what he is doing.
over 10 years
so FT, are you saying that EDL and the electricity sector is making money? I can provide you evidence that it is in fact losing around a half billion dollars a month, but of course you believe it is the governments role provide electricity, no matter how inept they are?
Electricity, telecom and a host of other services should not be handled by the government because the private sector will do a better job in providing services.
Do I need to see tis clown every Tuesday?? At some point the circus should end and clowns should go home...