Aoun deems prisoner swap "culmination of July victory"

Source: nowlebanon.com, 16-07-2008

Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun on Wednesday congratulated the Lebanese on "the culmination of the July victory through the return of prisoners and bodies, which coincides with the first meeting of the Lebanese cabinet in Baabda."

Talking to reporters from the Al-Manar television at the Beirut International Airport, where the president, speaker and prime minister, among others, Aoun said the participation of officials representing the parliamentary majority in the freed detainees' reception indicated "optimism around the end of Lebanon's detainee dossier."

Earlier today, Aoun said that the Lebanese army and the Resistance are not on opposite sides.

"The Resistance protects the army, and the army protects the Resistance. The only difference is the method," Aoun told Al-Jazeera Television Wednesday.

"Honoring the detainees is a must," he added, referring to the five Lebanese returning home as part of the ‘Israel'-Hizbullah prisoner swap Wednesday. He expressed thanks to the negotiators, "who showed a high level of professionalism."

"Today is a day of national unity," Aoun said, adding that "Everything calls for optimism."

"The issue of Hizbullah's weapons will be dealt with by the defense strategy that was mentioned in the Memorandum of Understanding between the FPM and Hizbullah," Aoun said.

Commenting on the newly-formed cabinet, Aoun said he hopes that all ministers will be up to handling their responsibilities.