Aoun: I Will topple govt. at appropriate time

Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun denied that he was obstructing government activity, accusing Prime Minister Najib Miqati of abusing his power when he decided to suspend cabinet sessions. The MP told As Safir newspaper in remarks published on Monday: “The president and prime minister are taking turns in confronting me … we will not be blackmailed or intimidated … and I will topple the government at the appropriate time.” He added that Miqati “got himself embroiled in this dispute and he should therefore solve it himself.” Miqati is abusing his power because he is violating article 65 of the constitution that stipulates that cabinet sessions should be held regularly, he noted. The premier therefore does not have the right to suspend sessions this easily, Aoun remarked. “It’s normal to have difference with Miqati, so why does he want to eliminate these differences and this diversity in views?” wondered the FPM leader. “Why didn’t he ask the government to vote on the appointments that he proposed so that we can resolve this issue once and for all?” he continued. “He knew very well that he would fail and therefore decided to play the democratic game and suspend cabinet sessions,” said the MP. Aoun denied that he was hindering government productivity, noting that the obstruction of the appointment of the head of the Higher Judicial Council is one of the several instances in which FPM proposals are being thwarted. The prime minister’s recent action at government demonstrated that he is adopting the same approach as his predecessors in that he is seeking to “usurp the Christian figures’ decision-making power.” Furthermore, he explained that Miqati sought to suspend cabinet sessions in order to avoid tackling contentious issues, such as renewing the cooperation protocol between Lebanon and the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. “The prime minister is creating an imaginary enemy in order to avoid contending with real issues,” Aoun stated. He stressed that he will not resign from government “because stability is a priority for us.” “I will not resign now, but I will topple the government at a time that I deem appropriate,” he added. He revealed that plans for demonstrations have been prepared and the time and date for the action will be determined when the conditions are necessary for it. Aoun later held talks with a Hizbullah delegation to address the government crisis. On Wednesday, Miqati suspended a cabinet session at the Baabda Palace over an ongoing dispute over the issue of administrative appointments. The suspension was prompted when FPM ministers walked out from Wednesday’s session. “The move is meant to push everyone to act responsibly and use their energy positively, towards the smooth run of state affairs not the opposite,” the prime minister said on his Twitter account on Wednesday. A dispute between President Michel Suleiman and FPM leader MP Michel Aoun over shares allotted to Christians has prevented consensus over administrative appointments, leaving several high-ranking posts vacant. Beirut - Naharnet