Sa'ad to shun Hezbollah-led coalition

Abu Dhabi: Sa'ad Hariri, leader of Lebanon's anti-Syrian parliamentary majority, has said his Future Movement would not share power in a unity government if pro-Syrian Hezbollah and its allies won the next election.

Sa'ad said a victory for the Hezbollah-led coalition would increase the influence of Iran in the country.

Lebanon's June 7 election is expected to be a tight race between the majority March 14 alliance of Christian, Sunni and Druze politicians and a powerful coalition comprising Hezbollah, its fellow Shiite group Amal, and followers of Christian former army general Michel Aoun.

Sa'ad said his Future Movement could form alliances with independents such as former Prime Minister Najeeb Mikati but would fight the poll in most areas on unified March 14 lists.

Asked if he would consider sharing power with Hezbollah and its allies in the next government if they won the majority of seats in Lebanon's parliament, Sa'ad said: "No we would not take part. I am talking about myself. Me as the Future Movement would not take part in the government. On the contrary, I would prefer to foster democracy so as not to bolster sectarianism. Today, the problem is that we are bolstering sectarianism at the expense of democracy."

"Opposition is sweeter."

Lebanon's 128-seat parliament is divided according to a complex sectarian power-sharing system and the outcome of this year's polls are likely to be determined by a handful of seats.