Hariri threatens to step down from forming new Lebanese government

Lebanese media sources revealed that Saad Hariri, who has been assigned to form a new government, hinted at stepping down from carrying out this task, in case Hezbollah insists on representing his March 8 Alliance supporters in the awaited government.

The Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar reported on Thursday that Hariri told all those who had contacted him that he is “not only refusing to give up his share for March 8 Alliance but also objecting to the appointment of a representative for them within any share under any circumstances.” He reiterated his “threat” saying: “If they insist on this matter, then they have to look for another prime minister than me.”

The newspaper stressed that Hezbollah is still holding on to “his allies’ right of” representation in the next government, whose formation seems to have been hindered in the last minute, after the spread of an optimistic atmosphere regarding the oncoming announcement of the government formation that took six months, after the parliamentary elections in May.

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Al-Akhbar added: “While it is still not known whether Hariri’s position is serious and whether he has the intention to step down. Senior sources in the March 8 Alliance indicated a great escalation and unprecedented intransigence are coming from Wadi Abu Jamil (Hariri’s house). Nevertheless, Hezbollah is still adhering to its commitment to its allies.”

The sources pointed out that “no one has contacted Hezbollah for three days,” neither from Hariri’s side nor the Free Patriotic Movement’s side. The sources refused to talk about the alternative options in case Hariri steps down from the mission.

On the other hand, the speaker for the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri, expressed his dissatisfaction with what happened. The deputies quoted him after a meeting on Wednesday saying: “I talked with those I should do regarding this subject. I have made my best, and we have nothing left than wishing to accelerate the formation of the government.”