Berri Calls for 'Constitutional Uprising', Unified Rhetoric to Solve Syrian Refugee Crisis

In a dialogue with university students held at Lebanon's parliament in Nejmeh Square on Saturday, Speaker Nabih Berri voiced calls for “a constitutional uprising, the development of the electoral system and lowering the voting age to 18.”

Berri, speaking to students from the Lebanese American University called for “constitutional uprising utilizing democratic means and for developing the electoral system as soon as the parliamentary elections are completed.”

He also said the voting age must be lowered to 18 instead of 21 which would pave way for more youth participation in national parliament.

Highlighting Israel's continuous threats, he said: “Lebanon's economy and its banking system have been an economic competitor to Israel. The Resistance was a model for people's resistance and for confronting aggression.”

Addressing the students, Berri said: “Your role should be focused on the fact that there is no way to curb terrorism except by coexistence of Lebanese sects and unity.”

“One of the important issues is the Syrian refugees crisis. They need services, infrastructure and water networks. There are more Syrian students than Lebanese students in Lebanon. I have discussed this matter with The European Parliament. The political rhetoric to solve this crisis must be one and unified,” he concluded.