Aoun: Majority Replaced Anjar by Awkar
Free Patriotic Movement leader Gen. Michel Aoun has accused the ruling majority of replacing Anjar, the former headquarters of the Syrian intelligence, by Awkar where the U.S. embassy is based.
“The majority forces receive instructions from Awkar as they did before from Anjar,” Aoun said in a televised address Saturday to a rally in Dbaye on the occasion of the anniversary of the “Liberation War” the general waged against the Syrian army in Lebanon on March 14, 1989.
“They do not dare to shake the hand extended to them because their master did not give them permission,” he said in his speech.
Aoun was referring to the March 14″s appeal on Friday to put differences aside and work hand-in-hand to build a strong, independent and sovereign Lebanon.
“We extend our hand and reiterate our call on all factions to overcome disagreements and participate in molding our common destiny,” Fares Soueid, the coalition”s secretary, told around 2,500 people at a conference entitled “Beirut Spring 2008.”
“Have the Lebanese really won their full independence,” Aoun wondered, accusing the majority March 14 alliance of marginalizing Lebanon”s Christians.
However, Aoun, whose FPM is part of the Hizbullah-led opposition, vowed that “despite the existing gloomy conditions a transparent state would be eventually established in Lebanon.”
In responce, a March 14 member told Ya Libnan: “Aoun seems to always commit the sin of setting his mouth in motion before getting his mind in gear . Aoun seems to forget that he is the one who kept Syria in Lebanon. Syria does not need Anjar anymore , since it has Hezbollah , Aoun and the rest of its allies doing exactly what Syria wants in Lebanon.”
“On the other hand the March 14 alliance are not following the Awkar orders. Awkar wanted the march 14 alliance to elect a member of the alliance as a president on the basis of half plus one . This is not what actually happened . March 14 scrapped the idea of half plus one vote and nominated general Michel Suleiman whom Awkar does not like and whom Awkar considers Syria”s man in Lebanon.”
“Aoun seems to forget that at least the US recognizes Lebanon , its independence and sovereignty and that is why they have a fully staffed embassy in Awkar. Syria on the other hand does not recognize Lebanon as a sovereign and independent nation and that is why they refuse to establish diplomatic relations with Lebanon and they also refuse to demarcate the borders with Lebanon ”
“If anybody marginalized the Christians it is General Aoun because of his alliance with Hezbollah . Had it not been for this alliance , there won”t have been a war in 2006 and we would have had a president already on or before November 23rd 2007.
“If the Cedar revolution failed in achieving its objectives it is because of General Aoun”s U turn in allying himself with the pro Syrian allies “
He concluded : “Time for Aoun to get his mind in gear and to start making sense”