Former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora. (Credit: Dalati and Nohra)
BEIRUT — Former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora on Wednesday called on all Lebanese people “especially the Sunnis, who believe in the sovereignty of Lebanon, not to boycott but rather to participate in” the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for May 15.
Here’s what we know:
• In a press conference Siniora said “the state cannot be rebuilt as long as Hezbollah continues to control the state.” However, he added, “The parliamentary elections will not be a decisive and immediate opportunity for change, especially with a flawed [electoral] law,” but “the national scene should not be boycotted.”
• “The will of the Lebanese has not been and will not be broken, which is why voting makes it possible to denounce and reject the practices of hegemony and corruption …. This is why I firmly believe that it is urgent that the Lebanese should reach out to each other and to be cautious not to move towards a divisive state,” added Siniora, who is a member of the Future Movement led by former Prime Minister Saad Hariri.
• In contrast with Siniora’s proposal, Hariri announced last month his withdrawal from political life and asked his party not to run in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
• Former Prime Minister Tammam Salam, who is affiliated with Hariri, had previously announced that he would not run for a seat in the next Parliament, while current Prime Minister Najib Mikati has not yet announced his final decision on the matter.