The Daily Star BEIRUT: Caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri launched Tuesday his harshest criticism yet of Gebran Bassil, saying he would not work again with the Free Patriotic Movement leader unless he abandons his “sectarian and racist” speech. “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 told a group of reporters at his Downtown Beirut home. “I will not work again with Gebran Bassil, unless he moderates [his policies].” Hariri said that the Future Movement would not be represented in any new government formed by PM-designate Hassan Diab and, for the first time, indicated that the party would not give such a government a vote of confidence in parliament. “I will not be represented, take part in or cover the new government. If required, I will not give it a vote of confidence.” Asked how he would describe Diab’s cabinet – should he succeed in forming one with the backing of the FPM, Hezbollah and the Amal Movement – Hariri said: “The government of Gebran Bassil.” The outgoing premier said he did not regret his decision to resign in response to nationwide protests that erupted on Oct. 17, nor his refusal to be reappointed unless it was on his terms. “I don’t regret my decision,” Hariri said. “My conscience is clear. All my work is to preserve the country.”

Asked if he would move to the ranks of opposition to President Michel Aoun and the new government, Hariri said: “I will take a stand after the New Year. I’ll watch what they’ll do and decide.” He said he expected “political Harirism” to come under constant fire from his detractors. “They want to blame everything on political Harirism. Let them try.” The term “political Harirism” mainly refers to the policies and accomplishments of Hariri’s father, former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri who was assassinated in 2005. Despite his many reservations, Hariri said a new government should be formed as soon as possible to face the “very difficult, very dangerous” economic situation in the country. Hariri denied accusations that he was behind some rioting by angry supporters in Beirut and other areas. “If I wanted to stir the street, I would have done so with a single speech. All I’m doing is calming the street.” Hariri said he shared with Hezbollah and Amal concerns over a possible Sunni-Shi’ite rift and he praised the Shi’ite duo for doing everything to avert such a threat.