Bassil: We don't accept anyone's exclusion and we call for extending state's authority

Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil announced Wednesday that the FPM “will facilitate the government formation process” and that it will not insist on retaining the energy portfolio.

“We have not asked the PM-designate for anything in the governmental issue, we’re ready to help and in our opinion the government must represent the parliamentary forces through experts,” Bassil added, following his bloc’s talks with PM-designate Nawaf Salam during the non-binding parliamentary consultations for forming a new government.

As for the Shiite Duo’s dismay over Salam’s appointment, Bassil said: “We don’t accept the exclusion or marginalization of anyone and we demand that the ministerial statement mention the implementation of 1701 and the ceasefire agreement and extending state’s authority across Lebanon.”

“We must rally around the PM-designate and President Joseph Aoun and there is a chance for a new balance in the country and real partnership,” the FPM chief added.

He also called for “a quick return of Syrian refugees, equal relations with the Syrian state, financial reform through the forensic audit, and the restructuring of the banking sector to return the depositors’ funds.”