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It has become common knowledge among followers of former President Michel Aoun that the main grudge that the latter holds against Army Commander Joseph Aoun is his abstention to suppress the popular uprising which erupted on October 17, 2019. Questions have been raised regarding the reason the security apparatus, particularly the Army Intelligence, appeared to be unaware of street developments, or if they were aware, why President Aoun remained uninformed.
For President Aoun and the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), the shortcomings of Aoun’s presidential mandate primarily stem from the inability to quell the demonstrators. They argue that the army’s swift intervention to unblock roads and stop the disruptions could have prevented political and economic deterioration. Consequently, both the former president and the current leader of the Free Patriotic Movement, MP Gebran Bassil, hold the Army Commander responsible for what he terms as a “fatal mistake.” Consequently, the FPM withheld its support for his presidential candidacy. An MP from the movement articulated his position on this matter, stating, “Why are you trying to persuade us? We prefer to stay out of such an agreement. You will have sufficient MPs without our presence to propel the Army Commander into the presidential seat, while we will be in the opposition.”
Arguments advanced by former President Aoun and the FPM in opposing Joseph Aoun’s presidential aspirations appear to be in contradiction with their stance when they held their own demonstrations. Would President Aoun have supported the Army Commander at the time, General Michel Sleiman, in ordering the suppression of the March 14, 2005 demonstrators, for instance?
When President Aoun led the Free Patriotic Movement, did he not caution the Army Commander at the time, Jean Kahwaji, against suppressing the movement’s demonstrators and impeding their tire-burning and road-blocking actions? Was the Army supposed to dismantle the Free Patriotic Movement and Hezbollah’s encampment in downtown Beirut during the tenure of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora’s government? Can equitable comparisons be drawn between the armed conflict of May 7 and the demonstrations of October 17?
Certainly, President Aoun has never wished for demonstrations or expressions of opinion to target him. Since assuming power in 1988, he has maintained a constant struggle with the media, journalists and political opponents, denying them the freedoms he claims for himself.
On October 17, 2019, it was unconceivable for the Army Commander to repress the popular movements. However, the Army wasn’t idle in safeguarding private and State institutions and public property against acts of vandalism. From the very beginning, there were violent clashes that took place with demonstrators. However, was it intended for the Army to use weapons against its people? Has anyone ever pondered the reason behind the tears shed by certain soldiers while confronting the demonstrators?
In this context, politicians who support the Army Commander said, “Perhaps former President Aoun and the Free Patriotic Movement wished for the Army to transform, as it did between 1988 and 1990, into a militia that fulfills personal aspirations for personal goals, but certainly, General Joseph Aoun did not acquiesce to that and will never do so.”
They further underscored that the decision not to deter the demonstrators is not the reason behind the country’s current situation, but rather the erroneous policies followed by the executive authority, particularly after October 17, 2019.
For instance, the decision to suspend Eurobond payments was made by the executive authority, represented by President Aoun and the Free Patriotic Movement. Similarly, the mismanagement of billions of dollars in subsidizing goods that were smuggled to Syria is neither the Army’s nor its Commander in Chief’s responsibility, but rather that of the executive authority. Moreover, stalling reform laws cannot be pinned on the Army and its Commander, but on the executive and legislative authorities. Lastly, the obstruction of the presidential elections cannot be attributed to the Army, but rather to specific political factions, with the Free Patriotic Movement and its ally Hezbollah at the forefront.
These are undeniable facts, and the fundamental truth is that certain individuals tend to cling to their failures rather than strive for success.
