Aoun Says Army Leadership Responsible for Scuffle, Does not Support Federal System

Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun on Saturday held the army leadership responsible for the clash that took place between his supporters and troops at a protest earlier this week.

“It is a shame for the (army) leadership to behave this way with peaceful protesters,” Aoun told a delegation of supporters from Aley.

FPM supporters held a protest near the Grand Serail on Thursday but they scuffled with soldiers who stopped them from reaching the government house where a cabinet session was underway.

Aoun said there was an “organized and planned assault” on the protesters.

He also said that federalism is one of the solutions to resolve the country's political woes but it needs “Lebanese consensus.”

“We shouldn't talk about confessionalism,” said the lawmaker, who heads the Change and Reform bloc.

In remarks to al-Akhbar daily on Saturday, he also refuted claims that he had proposed the establishment of a federal system in Lebanon.

“The problem with the Lebanese is that they do not read,” he said.

“I did not demand a federal system, but it was imposed on them,” he explained.

“The Lebanese people will prevent such a development,” he added.

Moreover, Aoun stressed that he “represents the Maronites in Lebanon and forced to defend their rights.”

Meanwhile, Secretary of Aoun's Change and Reform bloc MP Ibrahim Kanaan told the daily: “The FPM did not propose the establishment of a federal state.”

“They forced us to make such a suggestion,” he said.

“Who ever said that the elimination of the Taef Accord would lead to a federal state?” he wondered.

In an interview with As Safir newspaper on July 3, Aoun announced his backing for the creation of a federal system in Lebanon despite the objection of his rivals.

“If married couples disagree, they resort to divorce. We don't want divorce but we propose federalism that is based on a centralized government,” he told the daily at the time.

Progressive Socialist Party chief MP Walid Jumblat remarked earlier this month to local media: “It is impossible to have a federation.”

“The Taef Accord is the only guarantee for Lebanon’s Christians,” he said.

“Let them drop the issue of federation and confederation and let us protect the country together,” he added.

M.T.

G.K.