Former Interior Minister and Member of Parliament Nohad Machnouk (Credit: NNA)
BEIRUT – Former Interior Minister and Member of Parliament Nohad Machnouk announced Tuesday that he will not run in the upcoming parliamentary elections, scheduled for May 15.
Here’s what we know:
• “I announce today that I will not run for the next parliamentary elections, but I will remain a soldier that defends Beirut,” Machnouk said in a statement.
• Machnouk is currently being sought for prosecution, along with other MPs and former ministers, by the port blast investigation’s head Judge Tarek Bitar but has refused to appear for questioning. To be granted permission for prosecution, Parliament must agree to lift the MPs immunity.
• Last month, former Prime Minister and Member of Parliament Tamam Salam also announced that he will not run in the upcoming elections.
• Former Prime Minister and the head of Future Movement Saad Hariri also announced last month that he will not run for the May vote and will suspend his political career. He also asked his party to do the same.
• Last week, Prime Minister Najib Mikati said “Until now, my choice is not to be a candidate … I'm still considering my final decision.” Mikati also explained that his choice is not influenced by Saad Hariri's recent withdrawal from the Lebanese political scene.