Sheikh Qassem predicts unexpected gains for Aoun in 2009

04-12-2008

Hizbullah Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem said that Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun's visit to Syria was historic, and opened the door to ending all artificial barricades erected, not between the two countries on official levels, but rather between the Lebanese and Syrian populations.

During a graduation ceremony on Thursday, Qassem said that the visit was strategic and not about protocol. He said that Aoun was helping pave the way for a broad and regional change of alliances that would improve Lebanon's prospects. "With this courageous and strategic position, he builds what many dared not," he said, before adding that many Lebanese officials had secretly traveled to Damascus to plead their case, whereas Aoun went openly and not to plead but to discuss.

"I do not question the big campaign against General Aoun. Increasing criticism against General Aoun means that Aoun is rapidly advancing," he said. Qassem also said that Aoun was not interested in narrow electoral concerns but rather his country's future. He added that voters would give him greater rewards than were currently expected, and that the general's alliance would prevail in unexpected places in 2009.

Qassem said that Aoun went to Syria as a national Christian leader, and advocate of the Christian presence in the East. Qassem hailed President Michel Suleiman, "who had a decisive visit to Syria that corrected relations between the two countries and opened a highway that suits all."

He also hailed Army Commander Jean Kahwaji, "who preserved the resistant army in facing "Israel" and followed his duty to protect peace and defend Lebanon." He said that Kahwaji had visited Syria to coordinate with his Syrian brothers and bolsters his country.