Berri Threatens to Solve Political Vacuum by Parliamentary Decisions

Speaker Nabih Berri has discussed with Caretaker Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar the possibility of resorting to an aspect of parliamentary systems in which the legislature can replace the caretaker cabinet in taking major decisions.

One of the Speaker’s visitors told al-Joumhouria newspaper that Berri is trying to resort to constitutional means that allow the parliament to implement decisions such as extending the tenure of the Central Bank governor, or to judicial means to solve the demands of Roumieh prison inmates and grant some cases a general amnesty.

Berri is seeking a legal way to hold a parliamentary session to compensate the ongoing standstill in the formation of the cabinet.

Informed sources told An Nahar newspaper that Berri’s invitation to the council's bureau and the Parliament's Administrative and Justice Committee to hold a meeting, on Wednesday at 11:00 am, is the first step towards taking measures to avoid the political vacuum on one hand, and resolving vital issues that can no longer be ignored due to their effects on the social, political and security levels.

“Talks about a constitutional exit to take back the vote of confidence from Miqati are only shallow opinions,” sources told al-Joumhouria.

They confirmed that the premier-designate was not forced to stick to a certain grace period to form the new cabinet.