The logo of the Future Movement. (Credit: ANI)
BEIRUT – The Future Movement, headed by former Prime Minister Saad Hariri, on Tuesday said that their decision to step away from political and electoral work does not concern the "supporters" of the party but only its "official members.”
Here’s what we know:
• "The decision to suspend political and electoral work and not to participate in the parliamentary elections concerns only the official members of the Future Movement, and not its supporters who have the freedom to decide and choose,” the party said in a statement.
• "In accordance with this decision, members of the party must refrain from advertising electoral projects or candidates and from participating in electoral activities,” the party said adding that “each member of the Future Movement, if they are intending to participate in any electoral activity, must submit a written resignation to the body to which they belong.” The party also asked all its "supporters and friends wishing to stand as candidates to refrain from using the slogans of the movement.”
• In January, Hariri stepped down from political life and said that he will not run in the upcoming parliamentary elections. He also asked his party to do the same. Prime Minister Najib Mikati and former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora have said that they will not call for a Sunni boycott of the elections.