Speaker Nabih Berri's aide and Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil confirmed Tuesday that Berri's Development and Liberation bloc would “vote against” Free Patriotic Movement founder MP Michel Aoun in any presidential election session.
“The problem with General Michel Aoun cannot be resolved with a visit (to Berri) and the issue is not a matter of formalities,” Khalil was quoted as telling reporters.
Marada Movement chief “MP Suleiman Franjieh was briefing us on all the details of his agreements with ex-PM Saad Hariri, unlike the General,” the minister added.
“We will take part in the presidential election session and we will vote against Aoun and Speaker Nabih Berri will be the first person who will congratulate him,” Khalil went on to say.
He also noted that Berri's AMAL Movement would “join the ranks of the opposition” should Aoun be elected president.
“We see things heading to the Maronite-Sunni bilateral power-sharing of 1943 and we will confront this scenario,” Khalil added.