Hizballah and its Christian ally Michel Aoun abruptly quit the Lebanese unity government Wednesday, January 12, 2011 in a move that could pave the way for their seizure of power in Beirut.
Michel Aoun is a Lebanese politician and former military commander. From September 22, 1988 to October 13, 1990, he served as Prime Minister and acting President of one of two rival governments that contended for power. He was defeated by Syria in the war of liberation and forced into exile. He returned to Lebanon on May 7, 2005, eleven days after the withdrawal of Syrian troops. Known as “General,” Aoun is currently a Parliament Member. He leads the “Free Patriotic Movement” party which has 27 representatives in the 128 member Lebanese parliament.