Enough is enough: Aoun has no right to gamble with Lebanon”s future

The Daily Star strives to be representative of both public opinion and the public interest in Lebanon, no small challenge in a country where the misleading of the former leads so frequently to the subjugation of the latter. As such, this newspaper has generally supported many of the democratic ideals enunciated by leading members of the March 14 coalition, even if it has not always been fully confident of their devotion to such notions. For the same reason, we have also endorsed many of the complaints and suggestions put forth by key figures in the opposition March 8 camp, even if we have sometimes questioned their motivations.

 

There are times, though, when politicians of one inclination or the other seem to lose their way. If the statement issued by Michel Aoun – member of Parliament, leader of the Free Patriotic Movement, head of the Reform and Change parliamentary bloc, former commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), former (contested) prime minister and erstwhile presidential hopeful – on Monday is any indication, this is one of those instances in which a major national figure needs a push in the right direction. After hosting the current commander of the LAF, General Michel Suleiman, for talks at his residence in Rabieh to discuss Suleiman”s candidacy for the Lebanese presidency, Aoun did something very disturbing. Instead of issuing a straight “up or down” evaluation or even indicating that he needed more information and/or more time to form a judgment, the MP declared vague support for Suleiman but made it conditional on all or part (no one knows which) of a proposal he made in late November that was almost universally appraised as having been stillborn.
 

All politics leads to cynical positioning that has nothing to do with national priorities and everything to do with personal ambition. Given Lebanon”s current predicament after a year-long existential crisis, however, it can ill-afford business as usual. Given these conditions, Aoun”s maneuver is no longer an acceptable tactic. Instead, it is a throw of the dice in which the stakes include the fate of a nation and the well-being of its people. No one has the right to make such wagers.

 

Previous attempts at compromise have been blocked by certain members of the March 14 camp, and The Daily Star has argued, in essence, that their arguments stemmed from a gross disorder of priorities. Aoun”s gambit is no different. One cannot be certain of his intention(s), only that no goals he has articulated (and few if any that can be imagined) would be worth plunging Lebanon into a new round of instability.

 

General Suleiman may not be a career politician, but in this country, particularly at this juncture,that is anything but an insult. He enjoys an unquestioned record of service to his country, widespread popular confidence, and a reputation for objectivity. He has helped separate supporters of the ruling and opposition camps when they have been on the verge of mutual (and national) suicide. His candidacy represents an opportunity for the reduction of tensions and the payment of sober attention to pressing national issues, including – most urgently – the makeup and platform of the next Cabinet. If Aoun thinks he has a good reason why anyone should ignore all of these factors, he should say so. If not, he ought to stop playing games that frighten and possibly endanger the Lebanese people.