Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri is expected to announce later Wednesday if he would remain a candidate for Lebanon’s premiership, sources at the Center House told Asharq Al-Awsat.
The sources said Hariri’s decision would hinge on consultations carried out this week by members of his al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc with several political parties on a French initiative aimed at solving the country’s crises.
“The initiative is a roadmap to salvage the country based on a clear political and economic program that could serve as a foundation for drafting the policy statement of the new government,” the sources explained.
“There should be practical steps in backing the initiative through the formation of a government of experts and independent figures,” the sources quoted Hariri as saying.
On September 1, French President Emmanuel Macron launched a plan to help Lebanon cope with its crises. However, the plan failed after Hezbollah and the Amal Movement demanded the finance portfolio and choosing their Shiite minister in the new government.
President Michel Aoun scheduled Oct. 15 as the date to hold parliamentary consultations to assign a figure to form a new government.
“Hariri will never ask the President to postpone the consultations, which is up to Aoun to decide,” the sources said.
Reports said Tuesday the consultations would be postponed if Hariri planned to withdraw his candidacy for the premiership.
The outcome of the meetings carried out by al-Mustaqbal members with political parties would determine to what extent parliamentary blocs are ready to implement the French initiative and form a government of experts, the sources said.
A Mustaqbal delegation met separately Tuesday with Marada leader Suleiman Franjieh, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea and the Tashnag Party.
Headed by MP Bahia Hariri, the delegation will hold additional meetings on Wednesday before Hariri decides on his candidacy.
