General Aoun Set for First, Historic Visit to Syria

Source: Al-Manar TV, 30-11-2008
Even before it starts, the head of the Change and Reform parliamentary bloc MP Michel Aoun's upcoming visit to Syria seemed to constitute the "event" in Lebanon.
Indeed, and amid a remarkable opposition, Aoun is set to make, during the few coming days, an unprecedented visit to his one-time foe, rejecting the "organized campaigns" that anticipated the visit
"This is an introductory visit to turn over a painful page in Lebanese history and look to the future," Ibrahim Kenaan, a member of Aoun's Change and Reform bloc, said on Sunday. He revealed that the visit, his first ever, would probably take place this week.
However, Aoun's visit to Damascus has already come under fire from the so-called March 14 forces, believed to form the anti-Syrian political bloc. "It's natural for Aoun to choose to visit Syria as he belongs to a Syrian-Iranian alliance. The Syrian regime is the only beneficiary of this visit," Fares Soueid, secretary-general of the mentioned "coalition," claimed.
Before Soueid, other top officials, at the top of which come Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea, have criticized the visit and "advised" Aoun to think twice before making it. Phalange party chief also took part in the campaigns, claiming that Aoun "made his choice and is committed to the Syrian-Iranian axis."
But Aoun seemed, as always, confident and determined. Two weeks ago, he told Al-Manar that the campaign against his visit to Syria was a sign of failure of the ruling bloc in Lebanon. He also said that his Damascus trip would be aimed at starting a new era, adding that peace deserves a visit. "Previously, I engaged in battle and returned to my country. But today I am starting a new era," he noted.
In another interview with Lebanese daily An-Nahar, the 'General' stressed that he was visiting Damascus as a "Christian from the Levant" when asked if he was going to Syria as its foe in 1990 or as the head of the largest Christian parliamentary bloc. He said, as an Eastern Christian, his visit was important because Syria is the cradle of Christianity. "I want to separate Christians from the March 14 alliance because it was mistaken," he said.
SYRIA PREPARES FOR "HONEST RIVAL" VISIT
Meanwhile, the Syrian capital prepares itself to welcome Aoun who's scheduled to hold meeting with Syrian leaders and visit many cities and Christian religious sites.
According to Al-Manar correspondent in Syria, no one there doubts the importance of Aoun's visit, given that the FPM leader represents a major political icon for all Christians in Lebanon in addition to his national leadership. The man who stood against the Syrian presence in Lebanon didn't make use of it like others. In the eyes of the Syrian, Aoun was fair and just, he did not take part in the hostility campaigns launched from Lebanon against Syria following its withdrawal from Lebanon. Thus, Aoun is an "honest rival" who's coming to Syria in order to open a new page in the Syrian relation with Maronites.
In this context, the public relations official in the Maronite church in Damascus Toni Dawwara told Al-Manar that Aoun is today among the most encouraging people in Lebanon for adjusting the Lebanese-Syrian relations. "We see Aoun as a Lebanese, Christian and Maronite leader," Dawwara said, adding that the visit "shows the mutual civilized depth between Lebanon and Syria."
For his pary, Fayez al-Sayegh, a Syrian political analyst, confirmed that "there were no rivalries between brothers, but only differences in points of views." He told Al-Manar that Aoun was welcome in Damascus following a series of national positions he has taken lately. He pointed out that Aoun would consolidate the Arabism of the Lebanese Christian.
In all cases, Aoun's visit to Damascus proved to be "historic" before starting...