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Gen. Aoun Says Hizbollah is His Closest Ally
Gen. Michel Aoun said his Free Patriotic Movement's closest ally in Lebanon was Hizbullah, as the two
held similar views with regards to reform and other internal issues.
Aoun's position was transmitted Thursday to a visiting delegation from the National Council for
Information.
"The General considers that the closest to him in Lebanon is Hizbullah, especially in the matters of
reform, mass graves and internal issues," said Abdel-Hadi Mahfouz, who heads the national media outfit.
Aoun, who spent 15 years in exile for opposing Syrian domination, was a major player in the coalition that
drove Damascus' troops out of Lebanon last April. However, during the campaign for parliamentary
elections in June, he forged an alliance with pro-Syrian politicians.
Since his return to Lebanon, Aoun has adopted political and administrative reform as his party's national
goals. He blames politicians who led the country in his absence for encouraging corruption under Syrian
protection.
"He (Aoun) considers the (present) government to be an extension of the past 15 years without the
presence of Rustom Ghazaleh to solve problems," said Mahfouz.
Ghazaleh was Syria's top intelligence officer in Lebanon. Since Syria's exit from the neighboring country,
politicians have spoken of his brazen threats and intimidation tactics.
Hizbullah holds similar views on reform and corruption as Aoun. The two groups also claim their slate is
clear of mass murders committed by other politicians that participated in the country's 1975-1990 year
civil war.
Beirut, Updated 21 Jan 06
Gen. Michel Aoun said his Free Patriotic Movement's closest ally in Lebanon was Hizbullah, as the two
held similar views with regards to reform and other internal issues.
Aoun's position was transmitted Thursday to a visiting delegation from the National Council for
Information.
"The General considers that the closest to him in Lebanon is Hizbullah, especially in the matters of
reform, mass graves and internal issues," said Abdel-Hadi Mahfouz, who heads the national media outfit.
Aoun, who spent 15 years in exile for opposing Syrian domination, was a major player in the coalition that
drove Damascus' troops out of Lebanon last April. However, during the campaign for parliamentary
elections in June, he forged an alliance with pro-Syrian politicians.
Since his return to Lebanon, Aoun has adopted political and administrative reform as his party's national
goals. He blames politicians who led the country in his absence for encouraging corruption under Syrian
protection.
"He (Aoun) considers the (present) government to be an extension of the past 15 years without the
presence of Rustom Ghazaleh to solve problems," said Mahfouz.
Ghazaleh was Syria's top intelligence officer in Lebanon. Since Syria's exit from the neighboring country,
politicians have spoken of his brazen threats and intimidation tactics.
Hizbullah holds similar views on reform and corruption as Aoun. The two groups also claim their slate is
clear of mass murders committed by other politicians that participated in the country's 1975-1990 year
civil war.
Beirut, Updated 21 Jan 06
