Berri Supports Decision for Cabinet to Meet to Tackle Vital Issues

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Speaker Nabih Berri expressed all-out support for the cabinet to hold a session to tackle the delicate situation in the country and the petroleum file.

“I don't want to precede the matter before I hold talks with (Caretaker Prime Minister Najib) Miqati, but in principle, I support the holding of a cabinet session,” Berri told As Safir newspaper on Monday.

He noted that any extraordinary cabinet session should tackle the petroleum file and the security situation in an attempt to eliminate the tension and maintain stability, in particular, in the northern city of Tripoli.

Concerning the cabinet formation process, Berri told the newspaper that the 6-9-9 formula is in favor of the March 14 alliance.

“It's enough that (Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam) sympathizes with them, which is an enough guarantee for them to convince them to participate in any cabinet line-up,” Berri said.

Premier-designate Tammam Salam was appointed in April but has so far been unable to put together a government over the conditions and counter conditions set by the rivals parties.

“They have no excuse to reject the this formula unless they don't have the freedom to take a decision,” Berri added.

Asked about Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea's statements that the speaker is demanded to hold a parliamentary session to ensure that a new president is elected within constitutional time-frame and to call on his Development and Liberation bloc lawmakers to attend the session, Berri said that his “MPs participate in all the session that he calls for.”

He wondered why the other blocs don't attend the sessions that he had called for, expressing hope that they would attend the session set to be held on December 18.

Suleiman's six-year term ends in May but there are fears that the differences between the March 8 and 14 camps would lead to a vacuum in the country's top post.

The session that Berri has been calling for for the past few months is set to discuss 45 items on its agenda, the same session that has been boycotted for six times since July over differences on whether the parliament can convene amid a resigned government or not.

Comments 4
Thumb benzona 09 December 2013, 08:32

hej't arwich berry. you've been around since the 80s and haven't done a single thing for your country. liar liar.... manipulator.

Thumb mckinl 09 December 2013, 11:01

Should Mikati declare Lebanon in emergency, which it is, the cabinet will govern Lebanon without M14 input at all.

M14 will be begging for talks should Mikati declare this emergency and convene the cabinet. Berri will be in a strong position then.

Thumb mckinl 09 December 2013, 09:46

Mikati convening the cabinet is just the sort of action that will force real dialog between M8 and M14.

M14 can cream all they want but if the cabinet reconvenes as Mikati deems the country in an emergency state their actions will be totally legal.

Thumb mckinl 09 December 2013, 11:13

It has become very quiet as the M14 vermin are running for cover knowing that their obstruction could be by-passed with a declaration by Mikati that Lebanon is in a state of emergency.

And there is no doubt that Lebanon is in a state of emergency. Alomost a million refugees already costing Lebanon $7 billion. Electricity and water supplies are failing, flooding is rampant. Businesses are collapsing.

Then there is the social situation whereby the longer this boycott is allowed to cripple governance the worse the hatred and violence is becoming spreading to many areas and institutions such as Universities.