Berri Says His Speech Not Aimed at One Party amid Electoral Law Rapprochement with FPM

Speaker Nabih Berri has said that the jabs contained in his Wednesday speech were not targeted against a single political party, after his remarks sparked speculation over whether he was referring to the Free Patriotic Movement or al-Mustaqbal Movement.

“Contrary to all the current atmosphere, Speaker Nabih Berri has told his visitors that he is not in a disagreement with anyone and that his Tyre speech was not aimed at a specific party,” As Safir newspaper reported on Saturday.

“My mission is to unite people, not to separate them,” the visitors quoted him as saying.

In a speech on Wednesday, Berri had slammed “political absurdity and obstruction,” urging an end to “political procrastination and the belief that any of us can monopolize the national decision or have a veto on the national decision.”

As for Monday's national dialogue session, the daily said that Berri is awaiting final answers from the FPM regarding the draft electoral law that he had proposed to FPM chief Jebran Bassil.

“Bassil gave an initial positive response and he promised to consult with the Christian components, especially the Lebanese Forces and the Kataeb Party, in order to secure a unified Christian stance on Berri's proposal,” As Safir added.

A member of Berri's Development and Liberation parliamentary bloc told the newspaper that the proposal is a hybrid concept based on two phases.

“The first phase of elections would be held in the current districts under the winner-takes-all system and the second phase would be held under the proportional representation system in the five large governorates – Beirut, Mount Lebanon, Bekaa, North and South,” the unnamed MP said.

Meanwhile, a member of the Change and Reform bloc told As Safir that Bassil for his part is expecting Berri to consult with Hizbullah, Mustaqbal and the Progressive Socialist Party regarding the written proposal he had presented to the speaker.

According to the same MP, the proposals of both Berri and the FPM could lead to a breakthrough regarding the electoral law at the national dialogue meeting.