Hariri said via Twitter that he'd told Aoun he does not want to take part in a national dialogue ahead of legislative elections. (Credit: AFP)
BEIRUT — Future Movement head and former Prime Minister Saad Hariri informed President Michel Aoun by phone Friday that he will not participate in a national dialogue conference called for by the president ahead of parliamentary elections in May, a post on Hariri’s Twitter account reported.
Here’s what we know:
• On Dec. 27, Aoun called for an “urgent national dialogue” to address three issues: expanded administrative and financial decentralization, a defense strategy to protect Lebanon and a financial and economic recovery plan that includes essential reforms and the equitable distribution of losses.
• In a tweet Friday, Hariri wrote that the reason he does not want to participate in a national dialogue is because such a conference “should take place after the parliamentary elections.” These elections are scheduled for May 15.
• Hariri, who, having failed to agree a cabinet lineup with Aoun, stepped aside from his role as a prime minister designate on July 15, has largely been out of the political scene for the past several months, and his participation in the upcoming parliamentary elections is still in question.
• Former MP and one of Hariri’s consultants Mustafa Alloush on Tuesday said that the former prime minister, who is presently in the United Arab Emirates, will return to Lebanon “in the coming days” and will meet the Future Movement’s leadership to discuss the upcoming elections. Alloush also indicated that a decision by Hariri not to participate in the elections would not mean the party will take the same stance.