Aoun Hezbollah alliance shakes Lebanon politics

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A week old, but I've not seen it anywhere for some reason.

BEIRUT - Lebanese General Michel Aoun, a prominent anti-Syrian Christian figure, and the head of the pro-Syrian Shiite movement Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, said Monday they had reached agreement on several thorny issues.

"The fate of Hezbollah's arms should be examined within the framework of a national dialogue and a round table," Sheikh Nasrallah said at a joint press conference after the reading of a "document of understanding" between the two men.

Aoun had previously been a firm advocate of the disarmament of Hezbollah's militia in line with the US- and French-sponsored UN Security Council resolution 1559 which was adopted in 2004.

Nasrallah, whose movement is part of the government, and Aoun who is in the opposition ranks held their first ever meeting, under tight security, at the offices of a church in Shyah, a district on the southern outskirts of Beirut.

Middle East Online

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1. Aoun meets with Feltman to clarify pact with Hizbullah

BEIRUT: Following his first meeting with U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey Feltman after the statement of understanding was inked between the Free Patriotic Movement and Hizbullah, FPM leader MP Michel Aoun said the meeting was an opportunity to explain to Feltman certain terms so the document would not be misunderstood.

Last Monday, Hizbullah's Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Aoun issued a joint statement of understanding in support of the arms of the resistance so long as there are occupied Lebanese territories.

The statement also calls for national dialogue to resolve pending issues, implement democracy, draft a new electoral law, establish a strong and modern country and resolve the security situation.

Speaking from Rabieh, Aoun said the statement was put within its framework, adding the FPM is ready to provide any information to any person wishing to inquire about it.

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=22188