LF Weighing Alliances with Mustaqbal, FPM

Lebanese Forces MP Fadi Karam on Monday said the current week will be decisive at the level of electoral negotiations among political parties in preparation for the upcoming elections in May, the National News Agency reported.

“The LF is holding consultations with the Free Patriotic Movement and al-Mustaqbal Movement to assess electoral coalition chances,” the lawmaker told VDL (93.3) radio.

“The LF had sought an alliance with the Kataeb party in all regions, but the latter's request to withdraw LF's Batroun candidate in favor of MP Samer Saadeh has prevented our alliance with Kataeb party," the lawmaker added.

He finally stressed the LF's position seeking strong ties with Saudi Arabia for the benefit of Lebanon at all levels.

Political parties are gearing up for the May 6 polls announcing the names of their candidates and striking alliances to be listed on unified lists.

Lebanon will hold its first national referendum in nine years in May. The parliament has postponed elections several times over security reasons. Its term was supposed to expire in 2013 but lawmakers approved several extensions since then, the last one in June for another 11 months.