Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil has advised PM-designate Najib Miqati not to be the “fifth victim” of ex-PM Saad Hariri.
“My advice for Miqati is not to be Hariri’s fifth victim. Hariri booted out (Mohammed) Safadi, (Samir) al-Khatib, (Bahij) Tabbara, Mustafa Adib and himself,” Bassil said in an interview on LBCI, referring to candidates for the PM post who preceded Hariri and Miqati.
Saying that, “God willing, there will be a government” soon, Bassil added that the FPM “will not interfere in the entire cabinet formation process,” and that it wants the government to be formed “quickly” and “according to the National Pact and the constitution.”
“But this is something to be decided by Mr. President, Mr. Prime Minister and the blocs that will take part, while our confidence will be granted or withheld based on the line-up and the program,” Bassil went on to say.
Moreover, the FPM chief said he “disagrees” with Aoun on a point related to the government. “According to what right does he prevent a camp from obtaining the blocking one-third if it is entitled to have it based on its size? When the President agreed to the idea of not granting the blocking one-third to any camp, that was the first point that pushed us to say that we won’t take part in the government,” Bassil added.
He also revealed that the FPM will not grant the new government its confidence in parliament “should all portfolios be rotated except for finance.”