Former Prime Minister Najib Mikati said the residents of Tripoli will vote for the candidates who love the city, noting that there is an electoral competition, not a conflict.
Speaking to LBCI’s “Akher Kalima” talk show hosted by Journalist Maryo Abboud, Mikati criticized PM Saad Hariri for not speaking about any developmental project for the city, noting that the Doha Agreement and the concept of the “blocking third” were “cooked” by Hariri alone. “He wasn’t loyal to March 14 coalition while he accused others of disloyalty.”
On the elections, the former PM revealed that there is absolutely no coordination between him and former Minister Ashraf Rifi, stressing that each has his own list and no meeting has been held between them.
In the same context, Mikati stated that the Alawites will decide the candidate who will represent them at the Parliament, adding that Marada Movement chief MP Sleiman Frangieh has the right to visit the city Tripoli.
“I have a very good relation with him,” he continued.
Mikati noted that pressures are being exerted in the administration and security as well as the elections, “God knows what will happen during the vote counting process.”
The former PM explained that “he managed to lay the foundation for the stability witnessed by Lebanon today by adopting disassociation and moderation and through the respect of international agreements.”
Asked about whether he will be a candidate for being nominated as Prime Minister, Mikati noted that he is a permanent candidate for the premiership, adding that he has a draft provision to build a state “as it is supposed to be.”
“I will always be present, and my idea is about a state at a time when others think about authority,” he said, stressing that Lebanon’s economy “needs a shake.”
“The culture of corruption has become rampant in the state, we cannot continue this way,” he continued.
On the economy issue, Mikati explained that “Cedre 1 conference must be accompanied by reform plans”, stressing the need for radical reforms and partnership between the public and private sectors.
“I was ready to provide Tripoli with 24/7 power supply but the Energy Minister stood against the plan,” he revealed, stating that he visited President Michel Aoun about the issue and he was very understanding and promised to return with an answer, which never happened.
Asked about his relations with Syria, Mikati pointed out that “he has neither hostility nor appeasement with the Syrian regime,” stressing that his only goal is Lebanon’s interest.
For his last word, he said that Tripoli is the pulse of the Sunnis in the Republic, emphasizing that he is keen on protecting both the Sunnis and the city. “I wish that whoever wins in the elections will protect the city.”