Lebanese Forces MP Anis Nassar said that lawmakers from his party would not endorse former Prime Minister Saad Hariri for the role once again because it is not clear whether he would be capable of carrying out the required reforms.
“Hariri is always an ally and will remain an ally ... but the burden [he must take on] is heavy and the question is whether Prime Minister Hariri is ready to carry out the required reforms,” Nassar said in an interview with local channel Al-Jadeed Sunday evening.
President Michel Aoun is set to hold binding consultations with parliamentary blocs Thursday to appoint a new prime minister. He delayed the consultations by one week due to opposition from the main Christian blocs over Hariri’s possible designation.
Nassar said that the Lebanese Forces would attend the consultations but will not put forward anyone’s name for PM.
“It’s not Saad Hariri who needs support, it is Lebanon that needs support. Lebanon is at rock bottom and we don’t wan’t Hariri to be an agent of bankruptcy,” Nassar said.
Tashnag Party head MP Hagop Pakradounian meanwhile told Al-Jadeed that his party may diverge from the stance of its ally the Free Patriotic Movement by nominating Hariri.
“It’s not necessary that our stance is the same as that of the Free Patriotic Movement,” he said, adding that Tashnag MPs possible naming of Hariri “will not lead to separation” between the two allies.
Hariri has said that he is willing to be the next prime minister only if all parties are committed to French President Emmanuel Macron's reform road map and to forming a small government of specialists.
The FPM says that Hariri can't be the head of that government because he is a politician.
There are currently no other potential candidates for the role of PM.
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in comments published in Al-Joumhouria Monday implicity criticized the FPM and LF for their stance on Hariri's possible nomination.
"The atmosphere around the government file is still grey and foggy because there have been no communications or consulations since postponing (parliamentary consultations) last Thursday," Berri said.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
