Hariri Vows 'Internal Reevaluation', Slams 'Lying, Incitement' in Municipal Polls

Former premier Saad Hariri pledged Thursday to conduct a “critical internal reevaluation” in the al-Mustaqbal movement in light of the results of last month's municipal polls, as he accused certain parties of resorting to “lying, incitement and the manipulation of people's sentiments” during the elections.

“The polls represent an opportunity for a critical internal reevaluation whose outcome will be presented to the Lebanese in general and to my people, my loved ones, my comrades and all those who are loyal to the approach of political Harirism,” said Hariri at an iftar banquet he hosted at the Center House in honor of Lebanon's religious leaders.

“During this holy month, I will make several revisions, I will say what my conscience obliges me to say, and I will shoulder my responsibilities towards al-Mustaqbal movement's supporters, towards the Lebanese and towards both allies and rivals,” the ex-PM added.

Apparently referring to Mustaqbal minister-turned-electoral rival Ashraf Rifi, who has been accused of using a sectarian rhetoric to win Tripoli's municipal vote, Hariri added: “Politics in Lebanon has tried to give me lessons in lying, maneuvering, incitement and the manipulation of people's sentiments, but my upbringing taught me to be honest, frank and loyal, even if that comes at my expense.”

“I will not pin the responsibility on anyone and I will not absolve myself and those with me of the responsibility. I'm in charge of drawing lessons from the polls' outcome, I'm at the top of al-Mustaqbal movement's political hierarchy, and I will digest the results no matter how hard they may be,” Hariri went on to say.

Invoking the memory of his late father, slain ex-PM Rafik Hariri, al-Mustaqbal's leader stressed that “Rafik Hariri's school is the school of moderation, coexistence and national unity” that “puts Lebanon before any interest, person or party.”

“It is the school of total parity between Christians and Muslims in Lebanon and it will remain so. The results of a municipal vote or media campaigns will not change our belief in this,” Hariri pledged.

Giving an example about Beirut's municipal elections, the ex-PM noted that he “would have asked the municipal council to resign had parity been breached.”

Rifi had confirmed last week that he would form a coalition with “forces seeking change” in any upcoming parliamentary elections in the northern city of Tripoli.

His remarks came after a list he backed achieved a stunning victory in the city's municipal polls against a list backed by Hariri, ex-PM Najib Miqati, former ministers Mohammed Safadi and Faisal Karami, Jamaa Islamiya, al-Ahbash and the Arab Democratic Party.

Rifi also announced last week that he was mulling the idea of starting a political movement.

Addressing al-Mustaqbal, the minister called for “rectifying the course and endorsing policies that take the opinion of the Sunni community into consideration in order to avoid its descent towards extremism.”

Y.R.