The Aoun Challenge

The debate about whether Michel Aoun should become President or not raises a fundamental issue in our democracy: In our political culture, what should constitute a red line? When is it that a political discourse becomes un-acceptable?

Today, columnist Nassir el Assad writes a very “below the belt” criticism of the opposition leader M.P Michel Aoun. This shouldn’t be allowed to pass, Mr. Assaad’s article is preposterous and it embodies what I would consider un-acceptable journalism.

Mr. Assad accuses Aoun of conspiring with Syria to destabilize Lebanon, but he couldn’t present any piece of evidence except valueless “knowledgeable sources”. He can’t just simply state that Mr. Gebran Bassil, Aoun’s son in law has been secretly meeting with the Syrian president to find ways to destabilize Lebanon. These are dangerous allegations that must be substantiated. In a real Democracy, Mr. Assad should be taken to court to reveal his sources.

Assaad went on to ridicule Aoun’s participation in a demonstration against fuel price hikes. He emasculates it and calls it a gambit to destabilize Lebanon even further, so that Aoun could become President. Again, nonsense; Aoun is exercising his constitutional political right to demonstrate. And the demonstrators in question are at the core of Mr. Aoun’s populist political platform.

On the other hand, Mr. Assaad doesn’t mind polishing over Jumblatt’s relationship with Hezbollah and Amal, who, in my opinion, have made a huge and documented sin which I would consider much more un-acceptable than anything Aoun has done (until proven otherwise). They refused to stand by the Prime Minister when he was criticized by a foreign leader.

Mr. Aoun might disagree with Mr. Seniora on everything, but he still knows that it is un-acceptable that you remain silent while one of your countrymen is attacked by foreigners.

I might not agree with Michel Aoun, I might not like to see him as my President, but that doesn’t mean that I support Nassir Al Assad’s irresponsible journalism.

(Warning, spirited debate in comments section)