Berri Says 'Either Me or No One Else' Does Not Serve Lebanon

Speaker Nabih Berri has stressed that the legislative and executive powers will enjoy the needed quorum if they convene, saying the policy of either my way or nothing is not in Lebanon's favor.

Berri told officials who visited him in Ain el-Tineh on Sunday that there was no initiative yet to resolve Lebanon’s political crises “because some parties continue to hold onto their stances.”

“The government should assume its responsibilities and convene to settle financial and economic issues,” he said in remarks published in several local newspapers on Monday.

“The parliament should also meet in an extraordinary session,” said the speaker.

He reiterated that there are several urgent draft-laws, including international grants, that need approval.

Asked if the cabinet and parliament are capable of convening, Berri said: “There is nothing to worry about. There is quorum both in the government and the legislature.”

“The policy of either me or no one else does not serve the country,” he added.

The country's political institutions became deadlocked after the rival lawmakers failed to elect a successor to President Michel Suleiman, whose term ended in May 2014.

The parliament has failed to meet over lack of quorum and the government plunged in paralysis earlier this month over a dispute on the appointment of high-ranking security and military officials.