FPM MP lashes out at Mikati-Shiite Duo 'doika'

MP Salim Aoun of the Free Patriotic Movement on Monday blasted caretaker PM Najib Mikati for holding a meeting for the caretaker cabinet despite the FPM’s boycott and rejection, noting that Mikati “should have formed a cabinet” in the five months that followed his appointment as PM-designate.

Ridiculing Mikati’s argument that the session was held for humanitarian reasons related to cancer and dialysis patients, Aoun said that “he whose heart is this tender should have formed a government throughout five months.”

“It seems that we are heading to the approach of challenge and provocation,” the MP added, in an interview on al-Jadeed TV.

“PM Mikati, those behind him and those who agree with him must realize the gravity of what happened today, which is considered hegemony over power, and the previous troika (Elias Hrawi, Nabih Berri, Rafik Hariri) is better than the Mikati-(Shiite) Duo ‘doika,’’” Aoun said.

Moreover, the lawmaker warned that the issue is “not a joke.”

“This file will have very major repercussions and the danger lies in the fact that we have broken something very dear to the hearts of half of the Lebanese, which is partnership,” Aoun added.

“This government does not enjoy parliament’s confidence and there is no conformity to the National Pact in terms of Christian representation. Let us imagine what would have happened had the issue been in reverse,” the legislator said.

Mikati had argued that the caretaker cabinet needed to approve urgent matters, including a decree related to medical services offered to cancer and dialysis patients.

The FPM has meanwhile repeatedly warned against holding cabinet sessions amid the ongoing presidential vacuum, labeling such a move as an attack on the president’s powers.