Bassil Says FPM Not Boycotting Govt. or Seeking its Collapse

Energy and Water Minister Jebran Bassil on Sunday denied that the Free Patriotic Movement was boycotting government, describing the FPM’s shunning of two cabinet sessions last week as an “act of protest.”

“We’re not seeking the collapse of the government but we don’t want meaningless sessions,” Bassil told LBC television.

Asked about contacts with the FPM’s ally Hizbullah, Bassil said: “What’s important is implementing the things we agree on with Hizbullah.”

The minister also stressed that his bloc is keen on preserving the country, adding that it will confront anyone seeking to harm it.

According to information obtained by LBC, the ministers of the Change and Reform bloc will hold consultations with FPM leader MP Michel Aoun ahead of the cabinet session on Monday before taking the appropriate decision.

LBC said there is an inclination to avoid escalation, noting that Hizbullah will also try to bridge differences between its main allies, the FPM and AMAL Movement.