Aoun Says Hariri´s Support to President "Biggest Joke"

Source: almanar.com.lb, 20-5-2009

The head of the Change and Reform parliamentary bloc MP Michel Aoun denied on Wednesday that the opposition is seeking to seize control of the country and shorten the term of the presidency.

Speaking on Wednesday to delegations of Chouf residents in Rabieh, Aoun said that accusing him of seeking to shorten the term of the presidency was a lie. "I haven't even thought about this concept, and I didn't even talk about the president. Shortening the period of the presidency needs two thirds of parliament. No one is expecting to win two thirds of the parliamentary seats, and if we had them then we could rule the country while we are fishing and we wouldn't need to go to Baabda [to become a president]."

"The biggest joke today," he added, "is when (the head of the Future Movement MP) Saad Hariri said that he supports the president, so I ask him to sign the law of reinforcing the powers of the president when it is proposed."

Aoun called for the removal of cluster bombs dropped by "Israel" during the 2006 July War, saying, "They are attacking the arms of the Resistance, which defends Lebanese soil, while they forget that there are hidden weapons that are preventing people from returning to their homes."