Report: Christian Polarization Not in Favor of 'Confused' FPM

The Free Patriotic Movement's latest political escalation has not concealed the magnitude of “the confusion it has got itself into,” a media report said on Sunday.

“This escalation in the rhetoric has not concealed the growing confusion that the FPM has got itself into but has rather sparked a wave of controversy and a war of words with several parties and figures that will not serve the movement in anything, unless this campaign is aimed at creating polarization among the Christian forces, especially between those who back the FPM and those who oppose it,” informed sources told An Nahar newspaper.

“But that also will not be in favor of the FPM,” the sources added.

Senior FPM officials have warned that the movement would take gradual escalation measures that might take the form of resigning from the cabinet, boycotting national dialogue, resorting to the judiciary or taking to the streets in popular demonstrations.

The FPM's latest boycott of the cabinet is linked to the thorny issue of military and security appointments.

Defense Minister Samir Moqbel has recently postponed the retirement of Higher Defense Council chief Maj. Gen. Mohammed Kheir after no consensus was reached over three candidates that he had proposed, angering the FPM which says that it opposes term extensions for all senior officers.

The movement fears that the extension of Kheir's term could pave the way for a new extension of the tenure of Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji next month.

Qahwaji's retirement had been postponed in September 2013 and his term was instead extended for two years.