Miqati Says Only People to Judge his Tenure, Hails Ties with Rival Parties

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati expressed relief on Monday over the achievements made by the cabinet that he led from 2011 until his resignation last month, pointing out that ties with the rival parties, without exception, are “good.”

“I acted according to my conscience and national duties... I wasn't waiting for a compliment from anyone... Only the people can judge my actions,” Miqati said in an interview with As Safir newspaper.

He praised the support he received from Speaker Nabih Berri and Hizbullah and their cooperation during his tenure.

Miqati told the newspaper that he doesn't regret his resignation, expressing fear over the fate of the Internal Security Forces after the tenure of its chief Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi ended on April 1.

The cabinet-led by Miqati resigned on March 22 after it failed to approve the formation of the authority to oversee the elections and agree on extending the term of Rifi, who handed the ISF leadership to Brigadier General Roger Salem at the end of March.

Salem will serve as acting head of the ISF until a new director general is appointed.

“The cabinet became incapable of achieving further accomplishments... Several members started obstructing the work of the government lately,” Miqati said.

Concerning ties with Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat, the caretaker PM considered that the Druze leader has his own interpretations for the current developments.

He noted that he was informed that ex-PM Saad Hariri has a grudge on him for accepting to lead a cabinet after his was toppled in 2011.

“The public sector isn't owned by anyone... I didn't deceive anyone... I had my own interpretations for that period,” Miqati said.

He pointed out that he is sure that he “took the right decision in 2011... I would do it again... My decision wasn't personal.”

Hariri headed a cabinet in 2009, until its collapse in 2011 after March 8 alliance ministers withdrew from his national unity government.

Jumblat's 12-member National Struggle Front parliamentary bloc, along with the March 8 majority led by Hizbullah, brought Miqati to the premiership.

Miqati said corruption is spreading in the public institutions and Lebanon has one of the highest rates to of bribes in the world.

“I can't end all this by myself... We should take firm decisions to end this epidemic.”

Miqati reiterated that he will run for the parliamentary elections.