Miqatī's Office Responds to Baabda: The Message Has Been Received

The media office of the caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqatī issued the following statement: Following the uproar caused by the leak of the draft government formation presented by Miqatī to President Michel Aoun, those who "denied the leak" distributed a news report through an online site and social media claiming that "the team surrounding Prime Minister Miqatī was the one who leaked the draft." In this context, we want to clarify that the names of those who leaked the formation and those to whom it was leaked, among journalists, are known and documented with evidence. It is better that "the leakers" do not play with fire that harms colleagues we respect and appreciate. The leak itself revealed the "leaker," who left significant marks on the leaked version, thereby exposing himself. The purpose of the leak of the formation is obvious to everyone, and the message has been received. We announce the cessation of the debate to succeed in the tireless effort to form a government and to safeguard the presidency. For its part, sources at Baabda Palace confirmed to LBCI that "the presidential palace is not the source of the leak of the government formation that was distributed to the media this afternoon." The sources noted that it is not customary for the palace's departments to adopt this method, and that everything Baabda wants to say or publish is distributed through official channels and in accordance with the protocols.