Hariri Doesn’t Recognize Miqati’s Right to Head Government

Caretaker Prime minister Saad Hariri still does not recognize Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati’s right to head a government, a former diplomat told the daily An Nahar in remarks published on Saturday.

“If he were in Miqati’s place, he would have formed a government that would force all sides to accept the status quo,” he added.

The former diplomat added: “Miqati is too cautious to make such a bold move.”

A politician close to Hariri and who was also close to his late father, told An Nahar: “Miqati was wrong in his calculations from the start when he thought he could ease the demands of various blocs.”

“He soon found out that because of the internal and external complications, he would not be able to please his new allies and his constant ally, which is his pocket,” he said.

“In the end, Miqati wants to form a government that the Americans would not have any reservations over and that the March 8 camp would be pleased with at the same time, which is very difficult to achieve,” he noted.