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POLITICAL CRISIS

The FPM called on Parliament to query PM Najib Mikati's cabinet as to why it has not been holding meetings

The FPM called on Parliament to query PM Najib Mikati's cabinet as to why it has not been holding meetings

The Free Patriotic Movement criticied Prime Minister Najib Mikati's cabinet for not meeting since Oct. 12. (Credit: NNA)

BEIRUT — The Free Patriotic Movement has called on the Parliament to request Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s government to explain why it has not met since Oct. 12, amid differences between ministers regarding the probe into the 2020 Beirut port explosion.

Here is what we know:

    • Following a meeting of its political bureau on Saturday, the FPM said it was “deeply concerned about the continuing disruption of the cabinet without any convincing reason,” an implicit reference to political controversy over the Beirut port explosion investigation.

    • While the FPM did not name its political rivals, the Amal Movement, or Hezbollah, its allies, both parties have called for Judge Tarek Bitar to be removed as lead investigator.

    • The cabinet has not met since last month as ministers affiliated with the Amal Movement and Hezbollah have indicated they would not join a session unless action to the parties’ liking is taken regarding Bitar.

    • The FPM voiced the importance of demonstrating a "high sense of national and humanitarian responsibility” amid the economic crises in Lebanon.

    • On Oct. 18, Mikati said in an interview that he would not convene his cabinet until there is a “solution to the problem” of the differences regarding Bitar’s investigation. “I do not wish to provoke anyone,” he added to the Al-Modon news outlet, in reference to Hezbollah and Amal. 

CORRECTION: The FPM did not specifically call on Mikati's government to demonstrate "a high sense of national and humanitarian responsibilities" as originally reported.

BEIRUT — The Free Patriotic Movement has called on the Parliament to request Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s government to explain why it has not met since Oct. 12, amid differences between ministers regarding the probe into the 2020 Beirut port explosion.Here is what we know:    • Following a meeting of its political bureau on Saturday, the FPM said it was “deeply concerned about...