Saniora Says Will Fully Engage in Elections without Running in Person

Ex-PM Fouad Saniora on Tuesday officially announced that he will not nominate himself for the upcoming parliamentary elections.

At a press conference, Saniora added that his decision is aimed at “making way for competent and new faces,” while noting that he will be “fully involved” in the elections in terms of backing certain electoral lists.

He accordingly called on voters in Beirut, Sidon, the North, the Bekaa, Mount Lebanon and the entire country to “take part in this important and critical electoral juncture in order not to allow opportunists and outsiders to falsify representation, and in order to fill the vacuum” resulting from ex-PM Saad Hariri’s withdrawal from politics.

Responding to a reporter’s question, Saniora denied accusations that he has turned against Hariri.

“My relation with ex-PM Saad Hariri, and before him with martyr premier Rafik Hariri, will continue… We share the same explanation, analysis and reasons that pushed him to take this decision, but the difference is that he has decided to suspend his participation in political actions, whereas I have sensed a need to prevent newcomers and adventurists from filling this vacuum,” Saniora explained.