The Lebanese Forces on Tuesday denied a media report claiming that it is seeking to be allotted the energy portfolio in the new government in order to “defeat the Free Patriotic Movement.”

“This report is totally baseless, because the LF has never demanded the energy portfolio and is not negotiating on the basis of defeating or supporting anyone, but rather on the basis of the higher national interest, which requires moving forward with the (president’s) inaugural address and the (prime minister-designate’s) appointment speech,” the LF said.