MP Simon Abi Ramia on Wednesday announced his resignation from the organizational framework of the Free Patriotic Movement, citing "deviation" from the party's initial principles.

"At the founding stage, our party system was based on real partnership, serious consultation, and positive democracy. But soon a deviation from these principles began; our system gradually turned into a presidential system, and a shift from rich intellectual pluralism to unilateralism and individualism began," Abi Ramia explained in a statement, noting a decline in popular support for the FPM.

He said that despite the serious questions raised by those keen on the FPM's continuity, the party's political leadership continued to "bury its head in the sand."