Gen Aoun back in May, Geagea free . . . perhaps
Beirut (AsiaNews/Agencies) Christian opposition leader Michel Aoun, in exile in France since 1990, plans to return to Lebanon next month after the Syrians complete troop pullout to prepare for legislative elections. Christian Maronite warlord Samir Geagea may soon be freed from prison as well.
Both events are likely to happen once the pullout of Syrian troops is completed by the end of April as pledged by Syria's President Bashir Assad.
"General Aoun plans to return on May 7, but he will announce it officially himself later on," Alain Aoun, the exiled leader's nephew.
"He always said he wanted to return after the Syrian withdrawal, which is scheduled to take place by April 30, before the legislative elections (due by the end of May)," Alain Aoun added.
Aoun, a former army general, ran a military government before being ousted and forced into exile in France in 1990 by a Syrian-led offensive in the closing stages of the Lebanese civil war.
With Syria's troops out warlord Samir Geagea, head of the Lebanese Forces militia, could also be out.
Geagea, 52, is in prison for several killings carried out during the civil war (1975-1990), including the murder of the country's Prime Minister in 1987 and Christian leader Dany Chamoun in 1990. Many Lebanese political leaders believe he is the victim of Syrian machinations.
Today, even former Christian, Muslim or Druze foesnow united in opposition to Syriaare calling for his release.
"It is not acceptable that one Lebanese is treated as criminal while similar persons are treated as leaders. I think Geagea should be free," said Boutros Harb, a prominent Maronite anti-Syrian opposition lawmaker.
Others are less enthusiastic, but former Prime Minister Selim al-Hoss, a Sunni Muslim, says it may help unite Lebanon.
"Court judgements should be respected. Nevertheless, national reconciliation is more important," he said.
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