FPM Says Helped 'Brothers' LF in Getting 4 Ministerial Posts

The Free Patriotic Movement said Monday that it welcomes the decision of the Lebanese Forces to join the new government, noting that it helped the LF to get four ministerial posts instead of three.

In a statement issued by its media committee, the FPM hoped the LF's decision is aimed at “consolidating unity at all levels” and reflects “a serious intention to contribute to the government's productivity and positive work.”

Commenting on remarks voiced earlier in the day by LF leader Samir Geagea during a press conference, the FPM said it was “pleased by the LF chief's matching of the sizes of parliamentary blocs to their respective portfolios.”

“This confirms the soundness of the FPM's stance, which has called for representing the political parties in the government according to the sizes of their parliamentary blocs,” the movement added.

The FPM also noted that it had “contributed from the very beginning” to the move of giving the LF four instead of three portfolios.

“The FPM considers this contribution as part of its traditional and recurrent role in helping its 'brothers' without infringing on its own rights, no matter the level of political disagreement,” the movement added.

Political wrangling over portfolios, especially among the LF and the FPM, had delayed the formation of the government for several months.

Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri is expected to visit Baabda in the coming hours to present his cabinet's final line-up, which reportedly gives the LF the social affairs, culture and labor portfolios and the deputy PM post.