FPM elections postponed for technical reasons

by **Admin** Tue Apr 08, 2008 12:27 am

A
source close to FPM leader MP Michel Aoun told Al-Hayat daily that the
postponement of the FPM’s internal elections from May 4 to October 26
was due to logistical and technical issues, and denied any political
reasons behind the decision.

Al-Hayat
quoted a well-informed source as saying that the reason behind Aoun’s
decision to postpone the elections is that a major faction within the
FPM felt that Aoun is supporting his son-in-law, Gebran Bassil, to be
his deputy, thus expanding his authorities.

The
source said that FPM officials are not objecting to expanding Bassil’s
authorities, but favor an organizational formula that would prevent one
person from having too much power.

“Those
officials informed Aoun of their opinion and suggested that former
Major General and FPM Official Issam Abu Jamra be named as Aoun’s
deputy,” the source said, reminding that the same objection was made
against the ascent of FPM General Coordinator Pierre Raffoul.