Aoun congratulates Resistance ~ "International Attempts to Delay Cabinet Formation"

Source: nowlebanon.com, 30-06-2008

-Aoun: Since the sit-in, we have been fighting for participation in the government... Although in the current situation, it does not seem that great to participate, we insist that the government be formed and that we participate in it.

-Aoun: After the 2009 elections, we hope to gain power in a better way.

-Aoun: We have enough popular sympathy to make it, and we have the curiosity to know what is happening in power.

-Aoun: For the past 16 years, they have had control over everything.

-Aoun: Whatever you demand, they make it seem like they are giving you something. They are not giving us anything - this is our right.

-Aoun: We demand one thing, and we are given another. "Give up the presidency, we will give you something else." And then you see nothing.

-Aoun: We are not demanding too much. And who says that in negotiations you have to accept everything you are offered?

-Aoun: There is something shameful... about public information on the truth behind the crisis. But we know the truth.

-Aoun: Why should we lie to the people and blame each other to distract them from the real situation? There are international attempts to delay the cabinet formation.

-Aoun: When we accept what they demand, they come up with more demands.

-Aoun: The Prime Minister either uses a mouthpiece, another politician, or a journalist to speak on his behalf.

-Aoun: If we are in fact delaying, we will bear our responsibilities... But they have to know that one day, they will no longer rule, and they will be the opposition.

-Aoun: We have to get rid of this moral blackmail.

-Aoun: There is good news. As you all know, there are plenty of tourists arriving in the Beirut International Airport. We hope they will not deter them. You remember the USS Cole incident... but the season is looking good.

-Aoun: Beyond the harm we have sustained, they blame us. At the end of the day, we are not in charge. There is an incumbent premier, and he is responsible not to leak [false] information to the public.

-Aoun: We congratulate the resistance [on the coming release of Samir Quntar]... I want the Lebanese to know the whole truth. When the Hizbullah patrol clashed with the Israeli control, and the two soldiers were kidnapped, the US embassy contacted [Change and Reform deputy] Gebran Bassil, enraged and threatening... I contacted [Hizbullah Secretary General] Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, who confirmed the news and told me the operation was ongoing and far from over. But he told me that the ultimate end was the liberation of detainees in ‘Israel'... ['Israel's'] response was war.

-Aoun: I thank [PSP leader] Mr. Walid Jumblatt for comparing me to [Zimbabwean President] Mugabe.

-Aoun: It is an issue of balance. There are 5 ministries with importance... some ministries are more important than others when it comes to decision-making.