Aoun Stresses Support to LA, Warns of Lebanese Civil War
Northern Lebanon is back to the Lebanese security front, but this time from the gate of Nahr al-Bared.
This comes as the Lebanese government prepares for a condensed week on more than one political and livelihood level.
After Akkar and Arsal, northern military tensions moved Friday to the Palestinian refugee camp of Nahr al-Bared.
Nahr al-Bared...again
It all started when a Lebanese Army checkpoint stopped Friday three young Palestinians for carrying no IDs.
Minutes passed. Rage spread. And militants attacked the LA soldiers leading to the injury of dozens from them.
A military source told "al-Joumhoria" Lebanese daily that "as the LA restored the calm to the area, a number of Palestinian militants stormed the LA's center in an attempt to control it, thus, the LA was obliged to open fire."
"Thus, the Palestinian Ahmed Qassem was killed and two others were injured," the source informed the daily and stressed that "the LA doesn't seek to enter the camp."
For its part, "an-Nahar" daily reported that "extreme tension was palpable in the area until late into the night as Palestinian groups blocked the Baddawi road."
"The LA brought in reinforcements to consolidate its roadblocks and positions within the camp and along the main roads in the area," it added.
Aoun: LA Able to Overcome Obstacles, Al-Assad to Withstand
In parallel, the Head of "Change and Reform" bloc MP Michel Aoun hailed the LA ‘s role in facing the dangers.
In an interview with "as-Safir" Lebanese daily, Aoun expressed his confidence that the LA is able to overcome the dangers characterizing the current period especially since the latest dialogue session provided it the necessary cover."
"The Northern events," he said and added that " this is one of the virtues of the understanding between the "Free Patriotic Movement" and Hizbullah."
"This understanding bans the connection between these groups and Beirut, Sidon, or the Bekaa," Aoun told "as-Safir".
He further viewed "March 14" Christians aren't able to secure these links."
"At the same time, even if they could, we are not saints .. when we are obliged to face dangers," the MP acknowledged.
On the suggestions to establish a Northern buffer zone, Aoun assured that "the Lebanese front will no longer be viable since the Syrian army has started to control Homs and al-Qusayr."
On the internal level, Aoun questioned whether elections can be held under the current security atmosphere, especially if some regions are blocked.
He also reiterated his support to an electoral law based on proportionality "...as it is to establish something similar to a two-party system, where the sect does not win in the elections, but the political line.
Aoun further revealed to "as-Safir" that "an electoral law based on proportionality is part of his agreement with President Michel Suleiman and a number of partners in the government."
"Our aim is to secured 65 MPs i.e. the parliamentary majority, regardless of the law which will be adopted," he added.
On the Syrian developments, Aoun expressed confidence in the ability of the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to withstand all sorts of pressure.
Aoun has expressed fear that Lebanon would witness a new Lebanese civil war if al-Assad's regime falls.
Appointments to Forefront
On another level, "al-Akhbar" daily quoted informed security and judicial sources that stressed that "nothing has changed in the case of telecommunications data except for the fact that the requested data cover a wider geographical swath without extended to all number and to the whole Lebanese territory."
According to the sources, the independent committee will not accept to revert to the former formula since a political decision has been made in this respect.
In parallel, Justice Minister Chakib Qortbawi announced that " he is optimistic about the removal of all obstacles hindering the presidency of the Higher Judicial Council soon."
Similarly, Minister of State Panos Manjian informed "al-Akhbar" that "the appointments issue is likely to be discussed during the government's session on June 27 in order to adopt what has been agreed upon."
"Around 90% of these appointments will be adopted and the rest will be agreed upon later," the minister said.
In this respect, key ministerial sources told "al-Akhbar" that "the obstacle pertaining to the presidency of the Higher Judicial Council is closer to being resolved than any time before, as President Michel Suleiman and General Michel Aoun recanted their adamant attachment to their respective candidates for the job."
Source: Lebanese dailies, Translated and Edited by moqawama
