An Orange Olive Branch?

Will Michel Aoun make a major conciliatory move tonight?

After Hassan Nassrallah’s speech on Jerusalem day, I started noticing some changes in Aoun’s FPM.

Until recently, Aoun was cozying up to the Hezbollah; He was tactically allying with the Shiite block in parliament to counterbalance the ruling majority. But after Nassrallah’s speech, Aoun seemed to have made a complete U-turn.

A day after that speech, Aoun cancelled a meeting with president Lahhoud in what appeared to be a deliberate snub. Yesterday, in an Iftar Feast hosted by Aounist M.P. Neemtallah Abi Nassr in honor of Minister Mohammed Safadi (a Hariri ally), M.P. Allain Aoun said “Our Hand is extended on the basis of true and effective partnership”. A quick browse of the tayyar’s website indicates that “National Unity” is becoming the new buzzword in Aounist circles;

But the clearest indicator so far that the Aounists are extending a hand is the fact that Ali Hmedeh (a Jumblatist and a strong critic of Aoun) is hosting Michel Aoun Tonight on Future T.V. in his political talk-show Al-Istihkak. (check here for broadcast times)

It would be interesting to see what Aoun will have to say on Future TV. Will he make a major announcement?

Let’s wait and see

Update: As I have predicted, Haririst Almustaqbal newspaper writes today “Aoun is sending conciliatory messages in all directions”. Khaled who watched the show on Future TV commented: “I couldnt believe how leniant [Aoun] was, it is as if seeing a different person.. a person different than the one who used to bash FM every single minute..”