MP Saad Hariri denies exchanging parliament's mandate to 8-8-8 formula

Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri denied on Friday media reports saying that he proposed to Speaker Nabih Berri to exchange the extension of parliament’s mandate with the 8-8-8 formula in addition to the rotation of ministries.

As-Safir newspaper published on Friday a report saying that if Speaker Berri rejects Hariri's proposal, the Future Movement would refuse to extend parliament’s mandate and would submit the nominations of its candidates according to the 1960 electoral law.

In this context, Hariri's press office issued a statement in which it said that the report is "inaccurate and untrue and aims to hindering the drafting of a new electoral law."

The statement also added that the report aims at "destabilizing Lebanon's political state."

It noted that the Future Movement is adamant on holding the upcoming parliamentary elections on their due time, saying that it exerted all efforts to reach an electoral draft law that gives apt representation for Lebanese factions.

The statement pointed out that some parties attempted to hinder the holding of the parliamentary elections within the constitutional deadline.

As well, it asserted that Hariri and the Future Movement will exert all possible efforts to facilitate the formation of new government.

Lebanese rival parties are sharply divided over the adoption of a new electoral law that would govern the upcoming parliamentary elections set for next of June.