Aoun Nominates Abu Jamra to Ashrafiyeh Seat, Asks Nayla Tueni to Withdraw from Race
MP Gen. Michel Aoun said Monday he has nominated Issam Abu Jamra to Ashrafiyeh”s Orthodox seat due to the absence of candidates who truly represent the heart of Beirut.
Aoun also asked An-Nahar newspaper assistant general director Nayla Tueni to withdraw her nomination from the seat saying she was still "unprepared" to take on the challenges of the upcoming phase.
"None of the candidates (vying for the Orthodox seat in Ashrafiyeh) represent the true spirit of Beirut," Aoun said following a weekly meeting of his Change and Reform Bloc.
"This is why we waited till today to announce (Abu Jamra”s) candidacy. No one else represents the true spirit of Ashrafieh either," he added.
Aoun said his movement had "liberated" Ashrafiyeh by giving it the chance "to elect its own deputies."
Aoun vowed that Ashrafiyeh will "not return to being controlled by a single group”s decision-making."
As for Tueni, Aoun spoke of his affection to her and her late father Gebran Tueni saying he considered the young candidate as a daughter of his.
However, Aoun advised Tueni "to withdraw her nomination because she did not possess enough political know-how" to handle the current phase.
"She should make run (in the elections) at a different phase when she has become better qualified. We know from previous experience that leadership is not something you inherit," he said.
In a change of tone, Aoun thanked Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir for advising citizens against selling their votes.
"We thank the patriarch for his guidance during Sunday”s sermon when he told citizens “he who buys will eventually sell you," Aoun said.
"This is the position we were waiting for (Sfeir) to adopt," Aoun added.
Aoun then told citizens who are being "intimidated or pressured to accept bribes" in connection with the polls to "contact him personally to handle the issue." The FPM leader then asked the authorities to investigate reports that a number of registrars have been "withholding ID”s until the elections."
Turning his attention to the prime minister, Aoun expressed surprise at Fouad Saniora”s accusation that the general has been verbally "attacking the Sunni sect." Aoun said that while "we do criticize the prime minister, however, we do not criticize his beliefs. We advocate freedom of belief."
Separately, Aoun pointed out that a number of newspapers and website have carried out leaked reports claiming that kidnapped Joseph Sader is "collaborating with the Mossad."
"We ask that the security services share with us any information they have on the issue and to investigate the aforementioned media outlets to uncover the truth of their claims."
Aoun also asked fellow MP Robert Ghanem to propose a draft bill under which politicians can no longer occupy the dual posts in the assembly and in Cabinet.