Miqati says some trying to 'topple govt., torpedo elections'

Prime Minister Najib Miqati has said that some parties are trying to topple the government to torpedo the parliamentary elections.

Miqati told al-Joumhouria newspaper, in remarks published Wednesday, that he will not get dragged into resigning.

"I am raising the alarm and I will not accept what is being done on the expense of the country and the Lebanese," Miqati said.

He added that "some people" are mixing up the draft budget and the recovery plan "at the expense of the government and the presidency," accusing them of "populist and theatrical practices."

Miqati had asked Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Tuesday to turn an ongoing legislative session into a general discussion session that would involve a vote of confidence over the government’s policies, but Berri refused.

The PM mentioned afterwards in a press conference "useless attacks" that are harmful to the country, and a lack of cooperation between Cabinet and Parliament.