Report: Hariri Pushing for Sunni Boycott of Elections

Despite its withdrawal from parliamentary elections, al-Mustaqbal Movement is still present in the electoral equation and is pushing for a major Sunni boycott of the polls, a media report said on Wednesday.

Ex-PM Saad Hariri is “exerting strenuous efforts to ensure a very low Sunni voter turnout in all regions, with the aim of consolidating his leadership and confining the Sunnis to him as a figure,” al-Akhbar newspaper reported.

He wants to tell everyone inside and outside the country that he is “the only representative of the community,” the daily added.

“For this mission, Hariri has selected al-Mustaqbal Movement Secretary-General Ahmed Hariri and the head of the Beirut Association for Social Development, Ahmed Hashmiyeh, with whom he met in the UAE several days ago,” al-Akhbar said.

He has tasked them with “holding meetings with influential figures and families” in Beirut and the various regions, the newspaper added.