https://arab.news/mm97h
- The heated exchange led Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri to instruct his deputy, Elias Bou Saab, to escort Aoun out of the session
DUBAI: Lebanese journalist-turned-politician Paula Yacoubian was interrupted and verbally attacked by MP Salim Aoun during the first round of a voting session to elect a president after a two-year power vaccum.
As the politicians argued inside the Lebanese Parliament building at Downtown Beirut, Yacoubian accused some MPs of using the constitution as a pretext to obstruct the session, asserting that the real reason was the refusal of some to allow the Lebanese army commander, Joseph Aoun, to become president.
This accusation sparked an objection from Salim Aoun, who retorted: “This is out of order. Paula, you covered for a kidnapped prime minister and now you’re lecturing about virtue.”
He added: “You’re the biggest liar on the political scene, and your whole history lacks honor and morality.”
Yacoubian responded angrily, saying: “Shame on you!”
The argument escalated, with both MPs exchanging insults.
The heated exchange led Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri to instruct his deputy, Elias Bou Saab, to escort Aoun out of the session to resolve the dispute.
On Thursday, Joseph Aoun was selected as the country’s new president in the second round of voting after receiving 99 votes.
He succeeds Michel Aoun, whose term ended in October 2022.
As a sitting army commander, Joseph Aoun is technically barred from becoming president by Lebanon’s constitution. The ban has been waived before, but it means that Aoun would face additional procedural hurdles.