FPM Says Suleiman's Election was 'Biggest Stab to Constitution'
The Free Patriotic Movement lashed out Wednesday at former president Michel Suleiman, describing his election in 2008 as “the biggest stab to constitution.”
“The remarks that were voiced in a friendly Arab country by a Lebanese official who belongs to the past were unfortunate, especially that statesmen must be keen on the internal unity of the Lebanese during their foreign trips,” Education Minister Elias Bou Saab, who is close to FPM chief MP Michel Aoun, tweeted.
Three days ago, Suleiman made a veiled jab at Aoun during a visit to the UAE, saying a weak president is one who is “seeking to ensure the continuity in power of his children or sons-in-law.”
“This is the weak president who must not reach” the Baabda Palace, Suleiman added.
Bou Saab snapped back in his tweets, saying: “He who is strongly calling today for respecting the Constitution has forgotten that his election to his post was the biggest stab to constitution since independence.”
“Has his memory failed him?” the minister added.
He was referring to Suleiman's election in May 2008 following a national dialogue conference in the Qatari capital Doha.
Article 49 of the Constitution stipulates that “it is not possible to elect judges, Grade One civil servants, or their equivalents in all public institutions to the Presidency during their term of office.”
Suleiman was serving as army commander when he was elected president by the then parliament.
“Great statesmen remain great when they leave power,” Bou Saab added, noting that Suleiman is “refusing to admit that he is not in power anymore.”
Against the backdrop of a dispute over the mechanism of cabinet's work, a new yet unofficial ministerial bloc has emerged in recent days.
The bloc comprises three ministers loyal to Suleiman, three to the Kataeb Party and two pro-March 14 independents.
The new grouping held its second meeting on Wednesday at Kataeb chief Amin Gemayel's residence. The first meeting was held at Suleiman's house.
The bloc rejects any encroachment on the president's powers and is refusing any modification of the cabinet's work mechanism amid the current presidential crisis.
Y.R.
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