Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea in Meerab on June 1, 2022. (Credit: Mohamed Azakir/Reuters)
BEIRUT — The head of the Lebanese Forces Samir Geagea announced on Wednesday that his parliamentary group "will not endorse anyone" during the binding parliamentary consultations scheduled for Thursday in which a prime minister-designate should be elected by members of Parliament.
Here’s what we know:
• "We will not endorse Nawaf Salam to form a new government, nor Najib Mikati. The Lebanese Forces’ parliamentary group will not endorse anyone tomorrow," said Geagea after a meeting with his parliamentary bloc.
• “Najib Mikati has made great efforts to organize the parliamentary elections and to negotiate with the International Monetary Fund during this difficult period,” Geagea also said. "Despite this, he does not have the qualities that we have set to become the next Prime Minister," he added.
• Geagea also rejected the nomination of Nawaf Salam. "We did not see enough seriousness in Nawaf Salam to take on this responsibility, given that he rarely visits Lebanon," Geagea noted.
• Earlier this week, the Progressive Socialist Party and Kataeb announced their decision to endorse Salam to become prime minister. The Free Patriotic Movement has not yet announced its choice.
• Earlier today, the "Independent Sovereignists bloc,” whose formation was announced today by MP Michel Mouawad, said that it will not endorse a candidate to become prime minister from the current establishment which includes caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati. They also said it will be either a white vote or Nawaf Salaf. Earlier this week, the Taqaddom party associated with the opposition (which includes MPs Mark Daou and Najat Aoun), expressed their backing of Nawaf Salam.
• Salam is a former Lebanese ambassador to the UN and a current International Court of Justice judge.