Aoun has become that which he long claimed to disdain
Ever since he returned to Lebanon in 2005, Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) leader Michel Aoun has professed a desire for sweeping reforms and a commitment to working through the institutions of the Lebanese state. For much of that time, the fact that he accomplished so little on either front could be explained away by his party”s absence from the government. Today, however, the FPM has a significant presence in Cabinet to go along with its large representation on Parliament, which means it no longer has so convenient an excuse.
One might have hoped that Aoun would use this enhanced position to advance his agenda by using all of the legitimate avenues at his disposal. Instead of having the FPM bring concrete legislative and policy proposals before Parliament and Cabinet, however, the former general has continued to work outside the system – and now, outside the country itself. He could not have picked a worse venue than Syria to publicize his calls for amendments to the Taif Accord that ended Lebanon”s 1975-1990 Civil War.
He also could not have picked a worse cause than that of enhancing the powers of the presidency: Taif has flaws and its implementation has been so spotty as to obviate most of its qualities, but that only means there are several high-priority changes that can and should be discussed via the proper channels and at the proper time. Providing solutions in areas like like the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, and ending sectarianism would benefit all Lebanese. Instead, Aoun”s emphasis on presidential powers looks a lot like a cynical (not to say dangerous) ploy to capture the votes of Christians in next year”s parliamentary elections.
Taif and the presidency are not subjects to be trifled with, a fact evinced by how little support has greeted Aoun”s recommendations. The current president, Michel Sleiman, has not demanded more authority – only more respect from foreign governments accustomed to "dealing with Lebanon" via particular politicians. Even the FPM”s allies in the March 8 Forces have either offered no comment at all on his plan or pointed out that it would open a Pandora”s box of new demands from several communities at a time when the country and its people are simply not equipped to cope with destabilizing controversies.
Aoun”s calls for a new way of doing politics in this country were once a breath of fresh air. But his consistent failure to engage in the necessary legwork, his frequent recklessness in pursuit of his own aggrandizement, and his penchant for character assassination have combined to make him look and sound like something he has always claimed to abhor: just another Lebanese politician with a successful cult of personality but none of the discipline and vision demanded of actual statesman.
Lebanon”s history is littered with the detritus left behind by blowhards and their hollow slogans. Aoun”s best moments have been when he has assailed the succession of unworthy grandees who have subjugated the national interest to their own ambitions. His worst mistake, however, has been to follow in their footsteps.