Abu Jamra: Next week will witness extraordinary movement on the rights and powers of deputy PM

Source: Nowlebanon.com, 16-10-2008
Deputy Prime Minister Issam Abu Jamra hailed President Michel Suleiman's visit to Saudi Arabia, saying it emphasized the importance of relations between the two countries. He said that his accompanying Sleiman was not intended to undermine the visit's atmosphere, adding that Saudi Arabia wanted to have "excellent" relations with Lebanon.
In an interview with al-Ousbou al Arabi magazine that will be published on Friday, Abu Jamra said that Change and Reform leader MP Michel Aoun's speech during the October 13 anniversary of Syria's storming of Baabda had been distorted by the media. Abu Jamra criticized attacks against Aoun's visit to Iran and asked, "Why was there this attack on Aoun while no one said a single word to criticize [Lebanese Forces leader Samir] Geagea's visit to Egypt?" Abu Jamra said that Aoun's trip was intended to increase understanding and reduce worries, as well as to visit the Christians there.
Abu Jamra said that election campaigning in the Christian community had delayed reconciliation. He added that Aoun was not opposed to attending a reconciliation meeting between the Lebanese Forces and the Marada Movement. Abu Jamra also said that the coming week would witness an "extraordinary" movement on the demands of rights and powers of the deputy PM.
Abu Jamra said that the Free Patriotic Movement had been responsive to events since its establishment in 1988. "Differences in views, objections and discussions occur," he said, "however, things return to the basic system...I admit there are some objections, but if a member was moved or expelled from his position, this does not mean that there are divisions in the movement." Abu Jamra said he would run in the coming parliamentary elections.