Naharnet

Berri Hints he Alone Decides Parliament's Fate

Speaker Nabih Berri warned on Monday that he would not allow any party or official to either decide what role the parliament would play or to obstruct its functions.

“The parliament is the top institution and it is not allowed and I don't accept for anyone to set its role or paralyze it,” Berri said in remarks to several newspapers.

His frustration came after two parliamentary sessions with 45 draft-laws on the agenda, including the extension of Army chief Gen. Jean Qahwaji, have been postponed over the boycott of several blocs and Caretaker Premier Najib Miqati.

Berri told the dailies however that the third session was still scheduled for Monday along with all draft-laws on its agenda.

“If there is no quorum, then it (the session) will be postponed again,” he said.

On the formation of a new cabinet, Berri warned that he would “stand idle and watch” after several politicians expressed doubt at initiatives that he had made.

Asked about the March 14 alliance's call for the formation of a government before the resumption of national dialogue, Berri said that there would not be any need for all-party talks if a national unity cabinet was formed.

“The president is the one who called for dialogue and their (March 14) stance means that they are obstructing his invitation,” Berri said.

The speaker also warned that the formation of a technocrat or neutral government undermines the Taef accord.

The agreement is based on the establishment of a collective authority with the participation of all parties in decision-making, he said.

March 14 is calling on Premier-designate Tammam Salam to form a neutral government and keep Hizbullah away from it over its involvement in Syria's war.

Salam wants a 24-member cabinet with no “provocative political figures” to avoid bringing the disputes between the March 8 and 14 coalitions to the government table.

In his remarks to the dailies, Berri renewed his call for al-Mustaqbal movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri to return to Lebanon.


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