Aoun Says Lahoud will Resign Only 'If I am the Next President'
President Lahoud has sent word that he would resign the presidency only if he is assured that Gen. Aoun would be the next president, Aoun said in an interview aired by the BBC from Beirut.
Aoun was quoted as attributing Lahoud's stance to "his faith in my fairness, because if there is nothing against the president of the republic there won't be a future lawsuit against him."
The wording of Gen. Aoun's reported remark suggests he would be willing to give Lahoud a presidential pardon to shield him from future prosecution in connection with ex-Premier Rafik Hariri's assassination.
Aoun was asked about the rejection of the majority in parliament of him as Lebanon's 12th post independence president. "If the parliamentary majority is capable of deciding without Michel Aoun, let them forge ahead," the General responded.
"If the majority won't vote for me, I won't vote for their candidate, unless the issue is treated by veto power. But basically I don't see that there is a presidential battle at present and I am not in hurry for the president's departure," Aoun added.
The General rallied behind the recent decision of the Maronite Church that the ongoing campaign to dethrone Lahoud should stop, contending that the constitution should judge whether Lahoud should be removed or allowed to complete the two years remaining from his extended term.
Commenting on his recent meeting with Lahoud that was cancelled at the last minute, Aoun said the president "wanted to tell me somethingÂ…I am not going to reveal."
Aoun was quoted as attributing Lahoud's stance to "his faith in my fairness, because if there is nothing against the president of the republic there won't be a future lawsuit against him."
The wording of Gen. Aoun's reported remark suggests he would be willing to give Lahoud a presidential pardon to shield him from future prosecution in connection with ex-Premier Rafik Hariri's assassination.
Aoun was asked about the rejection of the majority in parliament of him as Lebanon's 12th post independence president. "If the parliamentary majority is capable of deciding without Michel Aoun, let them forge ahead," the General responded.
"If the majority won't vote for me, I won't vote for their candidate, unless the issue is treated by veto power. But basically I don't see that there is a presidential battle at present and I am not in hurry for the president's departure," Aoun added.
The General rallied behind the recent decision of the Maronite Church that the ongoing campaign to dethrone Lahoud should stop, contending that the constitution should judge whether Lahoud should be removed or allowed to complete the two years remaining from his extended term.
Commenting on his recent meeting with Lahoud that was cancelled at the last minute, Aoun said the president "wanted to tell me somethingÂ…I am not going to reveal."
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