Al-Mustaqbal, FPM Officials Deny Hariri-Bassil Meeting
Officials close to al-Mustaqbal movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri and caretaker Energy Minister Jebran Bassil have denied that any meeting has taken place between them in Dubai.
The officials, who were not identified, told LBCI TV network on Sunday night that no such meeting was held between Hariri and Bassil.
Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3) said that Hariri is currently in Riyadh and not Dubai.
The denial came after NBN said on Sunday that Hariri and Bassil discussed the cabinet deadlock in the emirate.
Bassil did not confirm or deny the report but he responded to remarks made by President Michel Suleiman about the dispute on ministerial portfolios in the new government.
“Whether you understand us or misunderstand us, we are exerting efforts to make Lebanon bigger and more important than a ministerial portfolio,” Bassil said his in remarks from Dubai to the Sawt el-Mada radio station, which is affiliated with the minister's Free Patriotic Movement.
“Is clinging to a certain minister, precondition or portfolio more important than clinging to Lebanon?” Suleiman asked rhetorically in remarks voiced earlier on Sunday.
FPM chief Michel Aoun has been accused of hindering the formation of the new cabinet over his rejection of the rotation of portfolios and his insistence to hold onto the energy ministry, which is led by his son-in-law Bassil.
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