Mashnouq: Street Mobility a Warning Siren, Aoun's Call for Direct Election Unrealistic
Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq emphasized on Wednesday that the latest street mobility is a warning siren that can not be neglected by politicians, assuring that the Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun's call to elect a president from the people is totally unrealistic.
“What happened in the streets is a siren to the political strata that they should take seriously and address as a new factor in every day life,” said Mashnouq in an interview to Sky News Arabia.
“Rejecting everything is the current mood prevailing (among the protesters) which is due to the lack of trust between the state and the people,” he added.
Anti-government activists are holding rallies stemming from a trash collection crisis that erupted in July 17 when the largest landfill that receives the trash of Beirut and Mount Lebanon was closed.
What started as protests against waste piling because of government dysfunction is turning into Lebanon's largest protest movement in years, targeting an entire political class.
The protesters are not only complaining about the garbage, they are also accusing corrupt officials of being the reason behind severe power cuts and water shortages.
The minister described the political rivalries in Lebanon as “despicable to the point that they can disable any right or duty of the citizen to the state.”
“The calls to topple the regime in Lebanon are only calls for chaos. How can a regime be toppled without elections?” he asked.
“We cannot introduce change in Lebanon unless we introduce a modern electoral law that opens the door for the minorities, independents and the youth. The demands of the civil society are a warning for politicians and sects urging them to elect a president and approve a new modern electoral law.”
He expressed his belief that “a settlement in Lebanon's presidential elections may be partially available,” adding that “there is an internationally significant decision not to expose Lebanon to violent shocks.”
He believed that there was “an accumulation of mistrust between citizens and the state as a result of the substantial decline in the services that are the basis of their dailylives , whether the electricity or social services , and finally the waste file ".
On the calls of Aoun to elect the president from the people, Mashnouq described it as “unrealistic.”
“It is a threat to obstruct the whole state until the introduction of constitutional amendments that he wishes for.”
over 9 years
Maybe at this time it is unrealistic to have a popular voted president, but what has any other so called leaders or groups have proposed to come out from this mess.
They only care about their pockets
that's why MR. mashnouq toppling the govermant and replacing it with ordinary people is better.
over 9 years
General Aoun's Call for Direct Election is more than realistic, it's fair. It gives the Shias majority back some of the rights they were dispossessed of by the Taef agreement. Taef unfairly gave the Christians who total barely 30% were given 50% of the powers plus the presidency, army commander, central bank governor etc.. etc... Direct Election will make the Shias majority's voices be heard loud at last by giving them the swaying vote in who becomes president.
over 9 years
@phoenix1 sure I'm all for the Direct Elections of the next Shiite Speaker of Parliament and the Sunni Prime Minister. This will give the dispossessed Shias majority back even more of the rights they were deprived of by the Taef agreement.
over 9 years
Would appreciate it if he or the other "politically enlightened" folks explained why direct elections are "unrealistic" ?
over 9 years
Because the constitution says the president is elected by parliament.
over 9 years
The constitution is not written in stone. If they can suspend laws and the constitution in order for Hariri to avoid paying the inheritance taxes after his father death surely they can alter them for more reasonable causes.
over 9 years
I bet with a name like yours, i would be able to totally corrupt you with a $100 bill.
over 9 years
Cash, stfu will you?!
over 9 years
If that's what you're used to...
over 9 years
It's because direct elections will need a constitutional amendment by a parliament that extended it's term. And as you know the incorruptible Aoun said the extension of parliament was illegal and unconstitutional*. So you see the conundrum, the puzzlement, the quagmire and the Stewie it faces. No need to thank me, I'm glad to help.
*If parliament meets to elect Aoun president it's extension automatically becomes legal and constitutional. If parliament meets to vote for an electoral law that will no matter what guarantee Aoun over half the parliamentary seats president it's extension automatically becomes legal and constitutional. If parliament meets to appoint Aoun president without elections FPM style it's extension automatically becomes legal and constitutional. Anything this parliament does to secure Aoun as president it's extension automatically becomes legal and constitutional. The extension of parliament stays illegal and unconstitutional under all other circumstances. Amen.
over 9 years
You're right, any elections by this Parliament would be illegal. That doesn't answer the question as to why presidential elections directly by the people AFTER a new and legal Parliament is elected would be unreasonable.
over 9 years
Mr. Mashnouq, who is giving the orders for the security forces to act with such violence on the protesters? Is it you Mr. Mashnouq or is it your friend Mr. Nabih Berri or is it the two of you together in this sickly act? The day will come when you people will have nowhere to hide.
over 9 years
Mashnouk is trying to justify his position.....at the expense of the people.
Mr. Mashnouq, the siren is mainly for people like you too. Yes, Aoun's call is totally unrealistic, but what is beginning to get very realistic is this fact, that if your forces continue to beat up and arrest peaceful protesters so brutally, the people will rise up against your forces and force a knock out effect on them. Today your disproportionate brutality has manifested itself again and this is totally uncalled for. brutality from you will only strengthen the resolve of the people, and sooner than later, you will find yourself looking for a refuge where protesters will not find you, maybe in a Greek island who knows? Just don't push it too far.