Nayla Tueni, a candidate for the Greek Orthodox seat in Beirut I district and daughter of slain journalist and MP Gebran Tueni, said that Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun was not the one to determine whether she was qualified to run in the upcoming parliamentary elections. “The Lebanese are the ones who decide because their voice is important and expressive,” she said.
In an interview with Ad-Diyar daily on Saturday, Tueni said she followed the March 14 alliance’s political line. “Voting on June 7 remains crucial to finalize the battle,” she said.
Tueni rejected the claim she was running in the elections because she was the daughter of Gebran Tueni, adding, “My name is Nayla Tueni and I have my own ideas and activities.”
She said that the electoral districting for Christians is appropriate. “The Achrafieh, Rmeil and Saifi areas will decide their representation for the first time,” she said.
Tueni added that she supports an electoral law based on proportionality, which she will lobby for even if she does not win a seat in the parliament.
She also said she has no direct communication with the Armenians. “Apparently, they will not ally with March 14,” she said.
Tueni rejected the attacks on Bkirki, saying that the Maronite patriarch’s position is important. She said the patriarch’s remarks are positive and meant as guidance similar to that of “a father to his children.”
She said that anyone winning the majority in the upcoming parliamentary elections should rule, and the country’s current structure is wrong because the current cabinet is one of obstruction.
Tueni concluded she was proud of President Michel Sleiman, noting that the Taif Accord has to be reconsidered to restore the president’s traditional privileges.