Aoun Continues Trip, Calls to Reject Restrictions

 
Source: Al-Manar TV, 05-12-2008
For the third consecutive day, the historic visit of the head of the Change and Reform parliamentary bloc MP Michel Aoun to Syria continues to be the "main event." Indeed, General Aoun's visit has got more political and media interest than that of any other visit, be it Lebanese, Arab or foreign, since years.
The visit, the first of its kind, has "divided" the Lebanese political scene into two major camps: one that firmly backs it as a historic opportunity that would play an essential role in consolidating Lebanese-Syrian relations and opening a new page, and another that attacks it in a bid to get "political gains." However, all Lebanese, regardless of their political affiliations, were looking closely at the visit and the various activities the General was performing in its framework.
Aoun's visit to Syria has also triggered a "media war" between those who support the trip and those who oppose it and seek to "fabricate news" they believe could undermine the General's effort. In this context, Aoun reiterated that media misguidance would not affect his group, accusing several media outlets of distorting his words at a press conference held in Damascus on Wednesday.
"Some said that I have asked the Lebanese people to apologize from Syria," Aoun told Lebanese daily As-Safir on Friday. "The truth is that some Lebanese were partners with Syria at one point and have inflicted a great deal of harm on their Lebanese brethren and it is useful for those to apologize from the Lebanese people before demanding any apology from Syria," he explained.
Aoun's Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) has issued, on Thursday, a statement in which it said that some in the illusory majority could not find anything to take issue with in Aoun's press conference in Damascus, so they invented and propagated "a lie" until they themselves believed it, and thought the people would as well.
On Friday, Aoun began a trip to several religious sites in various areas in Syria where he was received with honor. He was quoted by Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar as calling on Lebanese Christians to set themselves free from restrictions and boundaries. "Following the Doha agreement, we offered the Presidency, but in return, we took the Republic," Aoun reportedly said.
"Days following our return from Qatar, I stood up and said that Lebanese Christians were returning to their country while the Christians of the East were leaving," he noted. "Today, I'm going beyond this to tell Christians of the East to leave the traveling bag because they are able to stay," Aoun said. "As for the Lebanese Christians, I call upon them to free themselves from restrictions and boundaries," he said. "You are the people of openness and diffusion," he added.

SHEIKH QASSEM HAILS AOUN'S VISIT AS HISTORIC

Meanwhile, Hizbullah Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem renewed support for Aoun's visit to Syria, calling it a historic one that helps remove all artificial barriers between the people of the two countries. "Aoun's choice is strategic, this is not just a normal protocol visit," Sheikh Kassem said during a graduation ceremony on Thursday.
His eminence said Aoun's step will change alliances and alter the balance of power in the region. The visit would also impact Lebanon's future because "with his brave and strategic stand, Aoun is establishing what no one dared to establish before," Sheikh Kassem said, adding that "as long as criticism is directed against Aoun, then he is making great progress."

MARCH 14 SEEKS TO UNITE OVER AOUN'S VISIT

Meanwhile, the so-called March 14 forces continued their "organized campaign" against Aoun and his visit.
Indeed, the "divided" coalition is working hard to emerge as "united" over the opposition to the visit, especially following the unprecedented and unexpected welcome of the General.
Lebanese daily Ad-Diyar quoted opposition sources as saying that what actually unites the so-called March 14 forces was only their "enmity" and "hostility" with the "General."
The sources, however, noted that contrast was emerging between Prime Minister Fouad Saniora and some of the coalition MPs, at the top of which is Future movement MP Saad Hariri. According to the sources, this contrast came to light after Saniora affirmed that Lebanese Army Commander Jean Kahwaji informed him of his visit to Syria as well as his agenda, just hours after the March 14 forces launched a verbal assault against Kahwaji over the issue.