The Mustaqbal Movement and the Lebanese Forces are unlikely to strike a deal for the May parliamentary polls despite their insistence to consolidate their political and strategic alliance that dates back to 2005.
Observers are talking about a “friendly separation” after the two parties decided to form separate lists in most of Lebanon’s electoral districts.
Both parties might only agree on a few seats during a meeting scheduled for Friday in Maarab between head of the Lebanese Forces Samir Geagea and Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s envoy Culture Minister Ghattas Khoury.
“LF-Mustaqbal talks concerning the next elections have reached their final stages,” Health Minister Ghassan Hasbani said, adding that based on the new electoral law, alliances between both parties would not be comprehensive.
The LF minister said that in case the two partners agree on a long-term strategic alliance, Geagea and Hariri could meet soon.
Mustaqbal officials are avoiding any comments on how the two parties will run in the elections.
A Mustaqbal official told Asharq Al-Awsat that the “campaign has not been notified about any electoral agreements except for the (deal struck with the) Progressive Socialist Party.”
The official said all parties were reconsidering whether it was more efficient to run in the elections through individual lists.
Relations between the LF and Mustaqbal became tense following Hariri’s resignation.
However, channels of communication between both parties paved the way for an expected meeting between Hariri and Geagea in the coming few days.
Head of LF communications and media department Charles Jabbour told Asharq Al-Awsat on Thursday that an electoral alliance with the Mustaqbal Movement has not been achieved yet.
“We are currently studying in which districts the two parties could ally,” he said.
