Aoun withdraws support for Special Tribunal
The leader of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) MP Michel Aoun said on Monday that he had decided to withdraw his support to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. "I was the first to support the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, but when I saw it was being politicized I withdrew my support."
Commenting on the release of the four former generals, he said: "We have forgiven those who tried to assassinate me and we forgive the four generals for what they have done to us."
In a speech following a meeting of the Reform and Change parliamentary bloc in Rabieh, Aoun said the opposition "has no interest in any security breach that may hamper the elections." He added that some political parties were forcing the heads of municipalities to promote their electoral campaigns, and said Interior Minister Ziyad Baroud should intervene to stop "such violations."
"I ask all municipal employees who were threatened to contact me," Aoun said, adding that he promised them his protection and support.
Sources told An-Nahar newspaper Monday that the disagreement between Speaker Nabih Berri and Aoun over the Jezzine district had been resolved after both parties agreed on a formula Sunday night, while other sources denied any agreement.
Meanwhile, the electoral outbreak is heating up as two major electoral events will be held Thursday and more lists will see light in the coming days.
Future Movement leader MP Saad Hariri will announce the March 14 Forces” list in Beirut”s third district on Thursday, while the FPM will hold a ceremony the same day to announce its electoral platform.
In a statement Monday, Hariri called on supporters of the March 14 Forces to participate in a ceremony held on the occasion in the area of Ras Beirut.
In other news, the head of the Progressive Socialist Party, MP Walid Jumblatt, called Monday for the creation of the national committee for abolishing political sectarianism, which is stipulated in the Taif Accord. He also called for the establishment of a senate as stipulated by the Taif.
In his weekly article to Al-Anbaa newspaper, he stressed the need to "complete the implementation of the Taif Accord, which resolved major controversies, including Lebanon”s Arab identity and the rejection of settlement and partition."
In a speech delivered during a ceremony held by the PSP on Sunday, Jumblatt called for "abolishing the capitalist confessional system," adding that political and confessional tensions distorted Lebanon”s diversity.
The PSP leader also stressed the need to respect the other, saying: "We have to win in the elections, but we, as PSP members, also have to go back to our basic principles."