Lebanese former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora said he would abstain from running for the upcoming parliamentary elections, but called on citizens to massively vote in the polls.
Speaking during a press conference in Beirut on Tuesday, Siniora said: “Amid this crushing crisis, which is considered the most dangerous in the history of Lebanon, and given the failure of many reform attempts for which we have fought over many years… And out of our conviction in the necessity of liberating the country from subjugation and tutelage, the hegemony of illegal weapons, and political corruption… we believe that Lebanon needs all good efforts to restore the role and exclusive authority of the Lebanese state over its entire territory… and to fully commit to implementing reforms.”
The former premier announced that he would not run in the May elections, while calling on his supporters in Beirut, Sidon, the North, the Bekaa, and Mount Lebanon, to participate massively “in this important and crucial vote.”
“My decision not to run for the elections does not mean that I will be boycotting; on the contrary, I hope my position makes room for the new generation. I will be fully invested in the elections in all their aspects, without running for office,” he told the news conference.
He urged citizens to turn out to vote “so as not to allow opportunists to gain ground amid calls not to participate in this national duty.”
