Aoun denounces US, French, Saudi and Syrian interference in cabinet formation

 
Source: Nowlebanon.com, 2-7-2009

Change and Reform bloc leader Michel Aoun said that he postponed discussing the issue of cabinet formation until next week, citing "too much US, French, Saudi and Syrian interference in this process at the time being."

Following the weekly meeting of the bloc in Rabieh on Wednesday, Aoun asked Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea to "keep his cabinet recipes to himself" in response to Geagea's suggestions of formulas for the cabinet formation, adding that he may propose the names of some of the MPs in his bloc to hold cabinet portfolios.

He also said he "regretted the security incidents that took place days ago in the Aisha Bakkar neighborhood" of Beirut in which one was killed and 11 injured, and denounced celebratory gunfire, which "leads to deaths and injuries" and which many blame for starting the clashes.

Responding to a question on the powers and duties of the president, he said, "The president has a specific role [laid out] in the constitution, and therefore any kind of guarantees are not secured unless they are guaranteed by the president."