Others, however, continued to stand by the Aoun’s side and had a generally positive experience with the understanding. (Photo: Al-Akhbar)
Concerns among General Michel Aoun’s supporters about a possible fallout with their Hezbollah allies are growing by the day. Their worries are not matched by the other side, which doesn’t see any real signs of such a break-up anytime soon, despite some talk in the Shia party that there are differences between the two that can be overcome.
Nearly a quarter century ago, a large number of Christians rallied to Aoun’s side when he was the head of the army, and therefore one of the last remaining representatives of the Lebanese state. His crusade at the end of the civil war also attracted a large number of Muslims who were also drawn to the idea of a return of the state after years of chaotic militia rule.
During his long French exile, he galvanized even more support as his movement in Lebanon stood up to the Syrian presence and was harshly repressed by the authorities. By the time of the 2005 elections, in which his Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) participated, he had a substantial Christian following that he could count on.
Starting with the FPM’s 2006 memorandum of understanding with Hezbollah – which incredibly survived the July war of that year – the Aounists started losing groups of supporters. Some left due to his alliance with the Resistance, claiming that such an understanding runs counter to the general’s principles.
Others, however, continued to stand by the Aoun’s side and had a generally positive experience with the understanding. Among them is a young Aounist who has something to say to Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah at this moment.
“Please Sayyid Hassan, hasten your meeting with the general in order to sort things out and set the matter straight – not because of his stand during the July war, but because he is an honest partner and does not betray his friends.
“We don’t want to leave you, and we don’t like the idea of going to your enemies, because they are our enemies, first and foremost. Our relationship with you and your party is far better in our view than any alliance with March 14, the Future Movement, and their Saudi masters. We know your position in Lebanon and outside of it, and appreciate the role the party plays as a resistance movement.
“But we have a right to fight our fights with the same spirit as you do yours. And we want to be treated as an equal and essential ally of the same caliber as your close ally, Nabih Berri. We have given up a lot in order to accommodate this side or the other or in order to avoid an internal confrontation.
“We want to improve the understanding and add new clauses to it. We would like to see a direct channel between you and the general that is not facilitated by a mediator or a messenger. We are worried these days and we hope you will take the initiative to protect what we have built over seven years now.”
This article is an edited translation from the Arabic Edition.
Nearly a quarter century ago, a large number of Christians rallied to Aoun’s side when he was the head of the army, and therefore one of the last remaining representatives of the Lebanese state. His crusade at the end of the civil war also attracted a large number of Muslims who were also drawn to the idea of a return of the state after years of chaotic militia rule.
During his long French exile, he galvanized even more support as his movement in Lebanon stood up to the Syrian presence and was harshly repressed by the authorities. By the time of the 2005 elections, in which his Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) participated, he had a substantial Christian following that he could count on.
Starting with the FPM’s 2006 memorandum of understanding with Hezbollah – which incredibly survived the July war of that year – the Aounists started losing groups of supporters. Some left due to his alliance with the Resistance, claiming that such an understanding runs counter to the general’s principles.
Others, however, continued to stand by the Aoun’s side and had a generally positive experience with the understanding. Among them is a young Aounist who has something to say to Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah at this moment.
“Please Sayyid Hassan, hasten your meeting with the general in order to sort things out and set the matter straight – not because of his stand during the July war, but because he is an honest partner and does not betray his friends.
“We don’t want to leave you, and we don’t like the idea of going to your enemies, because they are our enemies, first and foremost. Our relationship with you and your party is far better in our view than any alliance with March 14, the Future Movement, and their Saudi masters. We know your position in Lebanon and outside of it, and appreciate the role the party plays as a resistance movement.
“But we have a right to fight our fights with the same spirit as you do yours. And we want to be treated as an equal and essential ally of the same caliber as your close ally, Nabih Berri. We have given up a lot in order to accommodate this side or the other or in order to avoid an internal confrontation.
“We want to improve the understanding and add new clauses to it. We would like to see a direct channel between you and the general that is not facilitated by a mediator or a messenger. We are worried these days and we hope you will take the initiative to protect what we have built over seven years now.”
This article is an edited translation from the Arabic Edition.