Outgoing Defense Minister Maurice Slim, left, and Lebanese Army commander Joseph Aoun in Yarze. (Credit: press office of Maurice Slim)
Last week Al-Akhbar daily, which is seen to be pro-Hezbollah, made revelations that once again seem to be pitting Lebanese Army commander Joseph Aoun against Defense Minister Maurice Slim.The article gave the impression that Hezbollah is trying to join hands with Free Patriotic Movement leader Gebran Bassil in blocking Aoun’s presidential candidacy.The army chief is known to be the preferred candidate of several foreign powers [involved in the Lebanese issue], and his name has been circulating for several months in political circles as a serious consensus candidate for the presidency.For Bassil, however, Aoun’s candidacy is not a viable option.The veto on Aoun appears to be among the few points of agreement between Hezbollah and the FPM, as relations between the two parties have recently been deeply strained over the presidential...
Last week Al-Akhbar daily, which is seen to be pro-Hezbollah, made revelations that once again seem to be pitting Lebanese Army commander Joseph Aoun against Defense Minister Maurice Slim.The article gave the impression that Hezbollah is trying to join hands with Free Patriotic Movement leader Gebran Bassil in blocking Aoun’s presidential candidacy.The army chief is known to be the preferred candidate of several foreign powers [involved in the Lebanese issue], and his name has been circulating for several months in political circles as a serious consensus candidate for the presidency.For Bassil, however, Aoun’s candidacy is not a viable option.The veto on Aoun appears to be among the few points of agreement between Hezbollah and the FPM, as relations between the two parties have recently been deeply strained over the presidential...
