Aoun Says President Can Have Share Based on Parliamentary Representation
MP Michel Aoun said Wednesday the president of the republic can have a share in a new government based on the size of parliamentary representation and renewed demands for proportional distribution.
"A proportional government will provide real representation, consolidate national unity and strengthen the cabinet and its head," Aoun said after the weekly meeting of the Change and Reform bloc.
"There is no veto power, but proportional representation. No one has the right to say the interior ministry belongs to this person or that so and so want the ministry of defense or foreign affairs."
Such an approach, he said, was a "form of opportunism not of governance."
On the president”s seats in a new government, Aoun said the presidential authority "took part in the (June 7) elections and can have its share based on the size of its representation" in Parliament.
He dismissed "claims" the minority was trying to "cripple" the process of forming a government.
"Those who impose conditions are the ones that hinder (the shape-up). External (sides) are the ones being disruptive," Aoun said.
"The government”s shape-up is “Lebanonized” through our own behavior, because the Arab leaders are not the ones in disagreement over formulas and they are not the ones who will meet to allocate an extra seat," Aoun said.
"We are the ones to take full responsibility in the formation of a cabinet, not outside" powers, he said.
The head of the Free Patriotic Movement said a recent meeting between Telecoms Minister Jebran Bassil and Premier-designate Saad Hariri "tackled general matters in a positive atmosphere for both sides."
He also said he has challenged the victory of Michel Murr and Sami Gemayel in the polls.
On foreign affairs, Aoun said the "U.S. policy (under President Barack Obama) did not differ from that of former president George W. Bush, but its approach is different."
He criticized the U.N. chief for describing Lebanon”s complaints of Israeli espionage cells as "claims." Aoun said the secretary general”s remarks were "insulting to the Lebanese government."
"We reject this. It is not right that our words are described as claims and theirs as certified facts," Aoun added.