Berri Says Boycott 'Democratic' but Candidates should Head to Parliament

إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية W460

Speaker Nabih Berri has described the boycott of parliamentary sessions as “democratic” but urged the rival candidates to compete for the country's top Christian post by heading to the parliament.

“The boycott of parliamentary electoral and non-electoral sessions is a democratic and constitutional right adopted in parliaments in all countries, including the United States,” Berri told his visitors in Ain el-Tineh.

“But the presidential election has a national trend,” Berri, whose remarks were published in local dailies on Monday, said.

The speaker also told his visitors that the three main candidates – Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun, Marada Movement chief lawmaker Suleiman Franjieh and MP Henri Helou – should compete democratically at the parliament.

Berri's comments came amid a parliamentary session that will most likely fail to elect a president over a lack of quorum.

He said the members of his bloc will be in parliament on Monday as they have done with previous sessions.

Differences between the rival blocs grew last month when Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea endorsed his long-time rival MP Aoun.

Al-Mustaqbal Movement chief Saad Hariri continued to hold onto the candidacy of Franjieh while Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat said he will not let go of centrist candidate MP Helou.

Their differences will fail to guarantee the needed quorum to elect a president.

G.K.

D.A.

Comments 6
Thumb lubnani.masi7i 08 February 2016, 08:02

“The boycott of parliamentary electoral and non-electoral sessions is a democratic and constitutional right adopted in parliaments in all countries, including the United States,”

This is not true Mr. Berri. It is your own Iranian interpretation of the constitution. The United States does not have the head of a mafia of thugs as Speaker of Parliament nor does it have an armed sectarian terrorist organization in its parliament.

Mr. Berri you are the last person to speak about the constitution and democracy. Was it also democratic when you locked up the parliament for 18 months? You and your iranian followers interpret democracy and the constitution as you see fit. You are no Abraham Lincoln!

Missing humble 08 February 2016, 09:10

Very well said: "I It is your own Iranian interpretation of the constitution."....and of zero democracy!!!

Default-user-icon kazan (Guest) 08 February 2016, 09:18

Religion in politics is a deadly cancer, it only serves feudal families, dictators and warlords. We have seen it in Europe in the past centuries, we are witnessing it now in the Middle-East. Unfortunately the mass is an easy target to be manipulated.

Default-user-icon Tarazan (Guest) 08 February 2016, 12:39

Will this SOB ever die??? He's been around (just like other idiot/useless Lebanese politicians) forever. When will this piece of shit die??? He (and his bitch wife) will burn in hell along with the billions they stole from the Lebanese people.. and that day will be a glorious day for Lebanon!

Default-user-icon Barber (Guest) 08 February 2016, 13:08

Let the people vote to elect a president and this Berri corrupted leader is out of business like many other corrupted politicians, lets put the real decision in the hands of people

Missing helicopter 08 February 2016, 21:06

When we did that we got the likes of Berri as MPs, so our poulation itself is now enslaved to these thugs. They control their bread and butter and hence their vote.