Mashnouq Statement from Rabieh Draws Ire of March 14 Allies
Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq's remarks from Rabieh caused a stir among the March 14 allies over the rapprochement between the al-Mustaqbal movement and the Free Patriotic Movement, local newspapers reported on Friday.
According to al-Joumhouria newspaper, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea and leaders affiliated in the March 14 coalition expressed ire over Mashnouq's statement, prompting al-Mustaqbal movement leader Saad Hariri to contact Geagea to explain the matter.
Aoun recently confirmed that he has recently met with former premier and head of al-Mustaqbal movement Saad Hariri ahead of the formation of Prime Minister Tammam Salam's cabinet in February.
According to unconfirmed reports, ex-PM Hariri and Bassil had also held a meeting in Dubai.
Head of al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc Fouad Saniora also contacted Geagea to stress that Mashnouq only discussed with FPM leader MP Michel Aoun the cabinet's ministerial policy statement.
Later, Mashnouq contacted Geagea to brief him on his latest consultations with Speaker Nabih Berri, Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel, Aoun and Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat concerning the policy statement.
“It's in our best interest to grant the government confidence to allow it to focus on the national, economic and social priorities and carry out the presidential elections,” Mashnouq said in comments published in As Safir newspaper.
The Interior Minister refused on Thursday to disclose to reporters at Rabieh the context of his 45-minute talks with Aoun.
Mashnouq only said that he cannot make any statement in the presence of Aoun.
“My meetings with Aoun and Gemayel are to follow up my protocol meetings with Berri, Geagea and Jumblat,” the minister told An Nahar newspaper.
He noted that discussions focused on the cabinet's policy statement.
“My meeting with Aoun tackled the dispute over the resistance article in the ministerial statement,” Mashnouq added.
An Nahar newspaper reported that Aoun expressed optimistic and openness regarding the matter.
The committee tasked with drafting the policy statement will hold its ninth meeting on Friday but it has so far failed to narrow differences on the resistance clause after the March 14 alliance stressed that the resistance should be placed under the authority of the Lebanese state.
The Hizbullah-led March 8 camp, on the other hand, rejected this demand, wanting to legitimize the party's armed resistance against Israel.
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