Kanaan Demands Sovereign Portfolio for FPM: March 14 Has Become Product Used for Personal Gain

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Free Patriotic Movement MP Ibrahim Kanaan stated on Thursday that the negotiations over the formation of the new government “are open to all options,” adding that the important thing is granting the movement a sovereign portfolio.

He told LBC: “The FPM is ready for any meeting with Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati and it does not want to pressure him, but the movement cannot eliminate itself and whom it represents.”

“All options are open before the end of the negotiations,” he continued.

The MP said that the FPM’s main demand is acquiring the Finance Ministry portfolio based on the reform project that the movement has demonstrated through its MPs and ministers and “it has the right to take this opportunity,” pointing out that the bloc enjoys the greatest Christian representation in parliament.

Kanaan stressed: “We are not demanding more than what we are entitled to.”

Speaking to al-Mada radio station, he said: “The FPM won’t request the speeding up of the government formation process just yet because Miqati knows when it will be formed and he is aware of the sensitivities of the current situation.”

Addressing the March 14 rally set for the same date letter this month, he said: “The March 14 anniversary that used to be the result of a 15-year national struggle has now become a product employed for personal gain.”