Aoun vows his party will never agree to `alienate` hizbullah

Aoun warns ruling coalition against `messing` with Constitution
Fpm leader vows his party will never agree to `alienate` hizbullah
Source: Daily Star, 15-3-2007
BEIRUT: The head of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) once more slammed the "stubborn" government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora on Wednesday and called on the Cabinet to "put an end to its unconstitutional status." MP Michel Aoun said that the Constitution contained "many stupidities" regarding the powers allotted to the Cabinet and the Constitutional Council and accused the ruling majority of "playing around and twisting the connotations of constitutional texts" to suit their own interests.
Speaking to senior members and youth organizations of the FPM at the Rabieh Guest House on the occasion of the second anniversary of the March 14, 2005, Aoun said that the "true heroes" of the Independence Intifada were "those who had fought for years and years against Syrian hegemony over Lebanon, not those who participated in a four-hour demonstration."
"Temporary stands do not entitle them to monopolize national decisions or the choices of the Lebanese," he added.
Aoun warned that any "messing" with constitutional texts could lead to "deadly conflicts."
Aoun repeated his criticism that the same politicians that were formally "Syria`s servants" in Lebanon were now "ruling over the Lebanese and preaching the principles of freedom and democracy, which they know absolutely nothing about."
The FPM leader further accused the ruling majority of "marginalizing" the role of Christians in Lebanon.
"But Christian determination will never be weakened," he said.
Aoun said he would never go along with attempts to "alienate" Hizbullah, adding that a "radical" solution to the current political deadlock requires the building of "bridges of trust" between Lebanese parties.
The drafting of a "comprehensive" and "reasonable" defense strategy could pave the way for the disarmament of Hizbullah, he added.
"Civil war and sectarian strife will never be revived again," Aoun said, "and anyone working on instigating any sort of conflict among the Lebanese should find himself a better job."
The senior member of the anti-government bloc said that the opposition had succeeded in containing the political crisis and hindering "potential strife." The FPM leader added that a solution to the crisis would be reached as soon as the ruling majority abandoned its "authoritative dispositions."
"Nevertheless," he said, "whether they do that or not we are keen on having things settled in the country."
Aoun said the solution to the deadlock was "simple, clear and local," and that there was no need to "resort to far away countries seeking solutions."
Commenting on the arrest on Tuesday of four suspects in twin bus bombings in Ain Alaq last month, Aoun said that "the government should have taken pre-emptive measures, knowing that the disarming of Palestinian factions and Lebanon`s relationship with Syria has been thoroughly discussed during dialogue sessions three months ago."
The FPM leader stressed that determining the "nature of the relationship" with Syria was a "pressing necessity.
"Outlining a healthy relationship is likely to put an end to Syrian interference in Lebanese domestic affairs, as well as to Lebanese manipulative stands," the leader of the FPM added.