Lebanon’s Free Patriotic Movement, which was founded by President Michel Aoun, stressed its rejection of the designation of Najib Mikati as prime minister.
A prominent source from the FPM told Asharq Al-Awsat that its nomination of former ambassador to the United Nations Nawaf Salam to the post was not a “political maneuver aimed at upsetting Hezbollah or appeasing the Americans.”
Rather, the nomination is aimed at countering Mikati’s, “who is completely rejected,” he acknowledged.
Meanwhile, informed sources said Aoun is committed to holding consultations to name a premier on Monday even if an agreement is not reached on a candidate beforehand.
FPM MP Hikmat Deeb explained that opposition to Mikati stems from - among other issues - suspicions that he had accumulated his wealth through illegal means. Mikati, a billionaire, is among Lebanon’s richest people.
Head of the FPM’s media relations, Tarek Sadek, had said the movement will not name Mikati as premier and that it will give a limited time for the formation of a government. Should efforts fail, the FPM lawmakers will resign from parliament.
In a tweet, he alleged that Mikati is the “choice of the United States and the corrupt system.”
“Salam, on the other hand, boasts a history in championing Arabism and the Palestinian cause,” he added.
“I understand why parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, former PM Saad Hariri and Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt would back Mikati, but why would Hezbollah [the FPM’s main ally]?” he wondered.
