Lebanese President Michel Aoun. (Credit: Dalati and Nohra)
BEIRUT — Nine months from the end of his term as head of state, in an interview with the Lebanese daily Al Joumhouria, President Michel Aoun took shots at his political rivals Walid Joumblatt and Samir Geagea, as well as central bank chief Riad Salameh.
Here’s what we know:
• The newspaper asked the Free Patriotic Movement founder about Progressive Socialist Party leader Joumblatt’s persistent criticism of him throughout his mandate as president. Aoun responded by saying, “In any case, we do not know on which foot to dance with Walid Joumblat. It is true to say that he is with you, wait until he leaves you. If he is with others, wait until he comes back. Whims do not build a state.”
• Aoun’s historic Christian rival, Lebanese Forces leader Geagea also came under fire from the head of state. “Let Samir Geagea tell us about his accomplishments, let him have the courage to take stock and tell us what he has brought to the country,” the president said. “He is busy provoking and calling for a resignation, “Aoun added in reference to Geagea’s repeated calls for Aoun’s resignation.
• In 2016, the head of state sealed a political alliance with Geagea, an agreement that had paved the way for him to become the president, but ties between the two camps have since deteriorated.
• Aoun also took advantage of this interview to once again criticize Salameh over the financial audit of Banque du Liban, saying, “I intervened each time to sweep away each excuse [for stalling the audit].” Aoun added that “Riad Salameh has until the end of this week to send all the data to A&M [Alvarez & Marsal],” the firm contracted to conduct the audit, adding, “the time of grace is over.”
• On Monday, BDL released a statement claiming that it had already handed over all the data to the auditing firm.
• Speaking about the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled on May 15, the president assured that “all the logistics are ready, and the ballot will take place on time, unless a compelling reason, internal or external to the country, arises, which [is something] we do not want.”
• As for the presidential election due to take place at the end of Aoun’s six-year term in October, the president assured that he would leave his post as planned on Oct. 31. “I will leave the Presidential Palace on that date, even if the new president is not immediately elected. The important thing is that the government ensures the transition,” he said. “When I leave Baabda, I will obviously have the right to express my opinion concerning the required president. Unless someone wishes to deprive me of my political rights,” Aoun added.
• Aoun also dug into the diplomatic crisis between Lebanon and several Gulf countries, claiming that Lebanon reacted “positively" to the proposals aimed at resolving the rift and delivered to Beirut by Kuwait. “We agree on several points … and we have proposed discussions around other more delicate points through our meetings” with the Gulf countries, he said.
• The question of Hezbollah’s disarmament, demanded by the Gulf monarchies, is the main obstacle to resolving the crisis. “The Kuwaiti mediator's preliminary response to the Lebanese reaction was positive, we await the response from that,” the president added.