Hamadeh: Aoun was informed of the negotiating clauses by Bashar al-Assad

Telecommunication Minister Marwan Hamadeh replied to MP Michel Aoun’s statement that the terms of negotiations are “in his pocket” by saying that they are in fact in Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s pocket.

 

“It is a shame that Aoun is controlled by Assad,” Hamadeh said.

 

“Monday’s presidential session has turned into a mathematics quiz,” Hamadeh told the Future news channel.

 

He also accused the opposition of following Syrian orders and conditions in Lebanon.

 

“The formation of the government and its shares are left to the new president and prime minister,” Hamadeh declared.

 

The opposition has been demanding pre-agreements over the next prime minster, the government and power shares ahead of electing the new president.

 

Hamadeh said he hopes the Arab and international community know the Syrian regime is obstructing the presidential elections in Lebanon.

 

“We have reached a total impasse,” Hamadeh declared. “Yet, March 14 will try to achieve a breakthrough before next Saturday,” he added.

 

Speaker Nabih Berri postponed yesterday for the ninth time the presidential-election session until Saturday, December 22 at 12:00.

 

Hamadeh told LBC Television that March 14 MPs attended the presidential session on Monday in the hope of electing a new president.

 

“There were some positive signals, but like usual, when we met with the opposition, we reached a deadlock,” he added.

 

Hamadeh also warned that the opposition will be held responsible if the situation remains the same.

 

“March 14 will not negotiate with Damascus over the establishment of the coming government,” he declared.