Aoun Denies Naming Miqati to Avenge Hariri: He Thinks Lebanon is One of his Private Companies

Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun has denied that he nominated Najib Miqati as premier to take revenge on Saad Hariri for shunning him from the presidency.

In an interview with the Qatari al-Watan newspaper published Thursday, Aoun said he named Miqati because he had a problem with Hariri’s internal policies.

Aoun slammed Hariri’s government for allegedly committing fraud and for conspiring with the finance ministry over missing funds.

He vowed to pursue the issue of “embezzlement” after the government is formed. “The files of the finance ministry are scary and there are serious mistakes.”

“Some countries have given the Lebanese government grants that have never entered the treasury,” Aoun told the daily.

“There is accountability in Lebanese democracy. Those who make mistakes would be held accountable and the parliament would collapse or a ministry would collapse,” he said about accusations that the March 8 forces toppled Hariri’s government.

Talking about the collapse of Hariri’s cabinet while he was in the United States, Aoun said the Mustaqbal movement leader traveled to Washington without informing the cabinet.

“He has a private jet that takes him from one country to the other whenever he wants. He acts as if Lebanon is one of his private companies,” the MP told the daily.

When asked by al-Watan about the March 14 conditions imposed on Miqati to participate in the government, the FPM leader said: “The prime minister can’t take a decision on anything alone.”

The cabinet headed by the premier takes a decision on any issue, Aoun said about March 14’s demand for Miqati to stress his commitment to the international tribunal.

On whether he was still eyeing the presidency, the MP said: “My role in Lebanon is more important than the presidency. If I go to the (Baabda) palace, I will be asked to play the role of the arbiter and I won’t enjoy the freedom of political work.”