Salam meets Berri in 'reconciliation' visit

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met Tuesday in Ain el-Tineh with Speaker Nabih Berri.

MTV described the move as a “reconciliation” visit.

Berri had met Monday in Baabda with President Joseph Aoun and was later visited by Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal in Ain el-Tineh.

The meetings follow the government’s approval of the Lebanese Army’s plan for monopolizing arms in the country. Media reports said the statement that was issued by the government was the result of an agreement between Aoun and Berri.

“With the blessings of the Virgin Mary, everything is good,” Berri told reporters Monday as he left the Baabda Palace.

Al-Jadeed TV reported Monday that the Speaker’s meetings are aimed at “reopening the channels of communication with the president and the premier, especially that Berri is very relieved by the decisions of Friday’s session.”

In remarks to An-Nahar newspaper, Berri had said that he was “relieved by the outcome of the government’s statement” on the army’s plan, noting that “the country was spared a major sedition.”

“Our domestic unity remains the basis,” Berri added.