Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati received by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, in Riyadh, December 11, 2022. (Credit: Dalati and Nohra)
“I am not trying to become premier again,” said caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati during a Tuesday interview on Al-Jadeed television channel.Mikati promised he would not seek a fourth term after the election of Lebanon’s next president.Apart from this statement, the rest of his televised remarks suggested that the billionaire from Tripoli is actually paving the way for his return to the Grand Serail.Mikati was keen on defending the Taif Agreement, passed veiled criticism of Hezbollah, and somehow distanced himself from Marada Movement leader Sleiman Frangieh — a central presidential candidate.The Sunni leader also seized the opportunity to prove himself before the international community — Riyadh in particular — at a time when a political compromise around the next president is beginning to take shape.However, this prospect appears...
“I am not trying to become premier again,” said caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati during a Tuesday interview on Al-Jadeed television channel.Mikati promised he would not seek a fourth term after the election of Lebanon’s next president.Apart from this statement, the rest of his televised remarks suggested that the billionaire from Tripoli is actually paving the way for his return to the Grand Serail.Mikati was keen on defending the Taif Agreement, passed veiled criticism of Hezbollah, and somehow distanced himself from Marada Movement leader Sleiman Frangieh — a central presidential candidate.The Sunni leader also seized the opportunity to prove himself before the international community — Riyadh in particular — at a time when a political compromise around the next president is beginning to take shape.However, this...
