In the most stinging criticism yet, Caretaker Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri has said he would not work again with caretaker foreign minister Gibran Bassil, labelling the Free Patriotic Movement head “sectarian” and “racist.”
"How can you work with someone who is always insulting you? How can you work with such people whose speech is sectarian and racist,” Hariri asked a group of reporters on Tuesday. "I will not work again with Gebran Bassil, unless he moderates [his language and policies]."
The Future Movement leader and Mr Bassil have worked closely in recent years, however splits over his policies began to emerge shortly after the election in 2018. They deepened in recent months as Mr Hariri reportedly tried to assemble a technocratic government but Mr Bassil refused to back any government that did not include him as a member.
The caretaker foreign minister has been the centre of much of the public’s anger in the ongoing two-month protests.
He is often criticised for demeaning and racist anti-refugee sentiment as well as being sectarian in his speeches.
Mr Hariri also again ruled the Future Movement out of the next administration, saying "I will not be represented, take part in or cover the new government. If required, I will not give it a vote of confidence."
PM-designate Hassan Diab was nominated on December 19 to begin trying to form the next administration and ease public anger.