Lebanon's former ambassador to the UN and International Court of Justice judge, Nawaf Salam. (Credit: AFP archives)
BEIRUT — In a speech delivered Sunday evening, just days before a parliamentary session dedicated to electing a president, Marada leader and presidential candidate Sleiman Frangieh launched criticism towards his political opponents and rivals. Amongst the criticized were renowned judge and diplomat Nawaf Salam and former minister Ziad Baroud, who have since responded to Frangieh's remarks.
Nawaf Salam
In his speech, Frangieh declared that Nawaf Salam, former Lebanese ambassador to the UN and judge at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), is "to the right of 14 March." Salam responded by saying that "if you look at [his] biography and all the articles and books [he] wrote over the last 25 years, you can't help but be astonished" at Frangieh's comments. "What characterizes the situation in our country is not the polarization that prevailed between the 8th and 14th March camps, but the dangerous financial, economic, social and political challenges" to be met, Salam wrote in a statement. He added that the only principles in which he currently believes are Lebanon's "economic and financial reform and political reform," as a "fundamental condition for establishing a modern, capable and just state."
Ziad Baroud
On Sunday evening, former minister Ziad Baroud also responded to Frangieh's remarks. Baroud was mentioned several times in the ranks of the opposition as a possible presidential candidate and repeatedly won votes in the last eleven presidential sessions. "When they said they [the parties opposed to Frangieh's candidacy] were going to nominate a candidate from outside the ruling political system, we thought they would opt for the classy and delicate Ziad Baroud,"said Frangieh, who criticized Baroud's handling of certain files when he was a minister.
"I would like to thank Frangieh for calling me classy," responded Baroud, who said that his upbringing had taught him "that insulting others does not make you a strong person." The former minister said he was "proud" of his achievements at the Ministry of the Interior.
Waddah Sadek
MP Waddah Sadek responded to Frangieh's question about the support given to the candidacues of Michel Moawad and Jihad Azour, by parties considered "traditional."
"How do you justify yourselves to young people after reaching an agreement with those against whom you led a revolution?" Frangieh challenged.
"We agreed on Michel Moawad's candidacy with positivity, in accordance with the Constitution, which provides for this democratic right," retorted Sadek in a tweet. He criticized the Marada parliamentary group and its allies for "losing the quorum during the eleven previous sessions". In a second message, the MP took Frangieh to task.
"What is his vision for Lebanon's sovereignty and his plan for economic and financial recovery, to fight corruption?" Sadek asked.