Le Courant du Futur refait mai 2008, un coup de force politique pas du tout improvisé, Siniora à la manœuvre, avec risque d’escalade grave – mais une chose est certaine, le 14 Mars va à nouveau se poser en victime (politique de l’« humiliation » feinte).
Aoun threatens action against term extension : FPM sources
▻http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2015/Aug-06/309933-aoun-threatens-action-against-term-extension-fpm-sources.ashx
Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun has reportedly criticized Defense Minister Samir Moqbel’s abrupt decision to keep the country’s top Army generals in their posts, while his movement threatened to take escalatory steps against the decision.
FPM sources said in comments published Thursday by Al-Akhbar newspaper that the bloc had no prior knowledge that Moqbel intended to extend the generals’ terms “because [chances] of reaching a deal and amending the Defense Law were still being debated.”
The sources warned that the FPM would carry out a “major escalation” against the extension, adding that Aoun will not back down although they did not elaborate on what type of escalatory steps they would take.
Seven soldiers and 17 protesters were wounded near the Grand Serail in Downtown Beirut last month in a scuffle between the Lebanese Army and FPM supporters protesting the government ignoring the FPM’s demand to prioritize the issue of security and military appointments.
Aoun has been pressing the government to appoint new military and security chiefs. He was also lobbying for his son-in-law Brig. Gen. Shamel Roukoz to be appointed Army commander.
Al-Akhbar quoted high-ranking Future Movement sources as saying that the current regional and international political situation does not allow Aoun to have any share in the Army nor in the presidency, and instead seek to diminish his political weight.
The sources added that the Future Movement has proceeded with the decision after a flurry of contacts Wednesday with MP Walid Jumblatt, former President Michel Sleiman, MP Sami Gemayel, former Prime Minister Saad Hariri and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.
The decision also came after a Future Movement meeting was held following Wednesday’s Cabinet session and before the Hezbollah-Future talks at Berri’s Ain al-Tineh residence, according to the report. The meeting was attended by Future bloc head Fouad Siniora, Deputy Prime Minister Farid Makari and former MP Ghattas Khoury.