The Saudis support the election of Joseph Aoun for the presidency
In an interview with the “Time Has Come” program on MTV, the Minister of Interior and Municipalities, Bassam Mawlawi, touched on several internal and external issues, including Saudi Arabia’s position on the election of General Joseph Aoun for the presidency, as he said: “It is clear that the Saudis love or approve of the election of General Joseph Aoun.” for the Presidency of the Republic.” He also stressed that the election of General Aoun requires a constitutional amendment, while Major General Elias Al-Bisari needs a legal amendment for his election, noting that the resignation of Major General Al-Bisari from his position may constitute a way out of his election.
As for putting his name forward to head the government, he said: “The person seeking the mandate will not be appointed, and in all my career I have not asked for anything. At the same time, we are not evading any responsibility, and I am not looking for any role.” He added that the country needs a sovereign government to the greatest extent, and that the criterion of sovereignty is the country’s interest, and what determines the country’s interest is the result we have reached. He continued, saying: “We need to restore the confidence of the international community and the Arab community, which has been subjected to abuse from Lebanon, and we also need to restore the confidence of the Lebanese people.”
He spoke about the need for Lebanon to have a clear vision and said: “We must have a clear vision and decide which Lebanon we want and go to achieve this “Lebanon” that the Arabs and the international community want.” He explained that His Excellency the Saudi Foreign Minister was supposed to visit Lebanon, but the latest data speak of a Saudi delegation.
As for the slogans and images, he explained that: “The issue of slogans, images and some appearances, regardless of the President of the Republic and whoever will come as Prime Minister, must be addressed.” He added: “I am in favor of suspending the Baath Party’s work in Lebanon, and granting its annual benefit has been stopped, and the issue of dissolving parties and associations requires a decision from the Council of Ministers and not from the Minister of the Interior.”
He commented on the file of Al-Qaradawi’s son, saying: “This file is a legal matter, and today the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received two refund requests from the Emirates and Egypt, and it is with the Public Prosecutor of Cassation, who for his part is preparing his report and will submit it to the Minister of Justice.”
He touched on the situation in Syria, saying: “Regarding the situation in Syria, our feeling is parallel to our love for freedom and independence that we want for Syria and our country.” He added: “Ahmed Al-Sharaa’s performance aims to build institutions in Syria, and we did not hear any sectarian rhetoric or any isolation of any party.” He criticized the scenes of Saydnaya, saying: “The scenes of Saydnaya are beyond description and cannot be accepted by any conscience.”
As for his visit to Syria, he said: “My going to Syria at the present time is not on the table.” He pointed out that “a large distance of the border between Lebanon and Syria has become controlled as a result of the security forces performing their duties to the fullest.” He stressed: “We protected the Arab and sisterly countries from drugs, and we had the audacity to confront the Syrian regime and say to its representatives publicly that drugs pass through them.”
He spoke about the National Committee for the Kidnapped, saying: “The National Committee for the Kidnapped receives information from the families of the missing, and we hope to find missing persons alive. The state must carry out its duties and not rely on what was said previously on this issue about the absence of anyone.” He added: “Syria must return to the Arab embrace through the broad Arab gate.” He stressed that Saudi Arabia and all Arabs are keen for Syria to remain within its important role.
He called for “a reconsideration of all agreements between Lebanon and Syria.”
Mawlawi pointed out that “Syria must be built on correct foundations, and we must reduce our interpretations and interest in Lebanon and in building a strong, cohesive state in Lebanon.”
He added: “We want to resist by building the state and sovereignty, by building the economy and social justice, and by giving every Lebanese their right to a decent life.”
Mawlawi stressed that “the role of the Ministry of Interior begins with the airport security service at the Lebanon gate, and at these moments there is a thorough inspection of an Iranian plane.” He added: “The second role of the Ministry of Interior is related to internal security, and it does this with all patriotism and works to extend state authority and implement laws.” He explained that “the Ministry of Interior has all the security services and today it is carrying out all its duties on various Lebanese territories.”
He pointed out that “if we implement the international resolution and if we take all necessary measures, Lebanon will have no fear of war,” explaining that “the Lebanese army is advancing towards the camps, and we will not accept weapons being let loose in the camps, and we must be decisive.”
Mawlawi stressed that “when a political decision is made, it is not difficult to impose state authority.”
Regarding the shooting on New Year’s Eve, he said: “We witnessed shooting on New Year’s Eve, but at a lower rate than last year, and today the Internal Security Forces are pursuing 203 suspects in connection with the shooting.”
He explained in the prison file: “More than 30% of those in prison are of Syrian nationality, and their trial must be expedited, and the matter of their deportation is with the Ministry of Justice.”
He added: “I support the amnesty law in light of the presence of 82% people in Lebanese prisons without trials,” and stressed that “the issue of the Beirut port explosion must reach justice and the application of the law through trials.”
In conclusion, Mawlawi stressed that “Saudi Arabia only wants Lebanon to be a law-abiding and corruption-free state.”
