Berri Says he Exerted Efforts for Consensus over Electoral Law, Not Seeking Credentials

Speaker Nabih Berri lashed out at critics on Tuesday, stressing that he sought consensus between the political foes over a new electoral law.

“I didn't neglect my responsibilities and did everything I can for the rival parties to reach common ground,” Berri's visitors quoted him as saying.

They said in comments published in An Nahar that he “isn't seeking any credentials from anyone.”

The speaker slammed those who are “crying over democracy,” wondering “what's the point of winning an electoral law and losing a nation.”

He pointed out that safeguarding the country is more important than holding election amid the current “troubled” situation.

Last week the parliament decided to postpone the upcoming elections and extend its term 17 months because of deteriorating security conditions related to Syria's turmoil, it was officially announced and published in the official gazette on Saturday.

Friday's extension decision comes after rival blocs in the legislature failed to agree on a new elections law.

The Free Patriotic Movement led by MP Michel Aoun and President Michel Suleiman submitted an appeal to challenge the parliament's decision to extend its mandate.

Aoun and Suleiman have previously said they will challenge the extension, although that is unlikely to affect Friday's decision given the size of the majority.

Both pro- and anti-Syrian blocs in parliament agreed on the extension, with one exception being the Free Patriotic Movement of MP Michel Aoun, which has the second largest bloc in parliament.

Ninety-seven legislators in the 128-seat body voted to extend parliament's term until November 20, 2014, in a session that lasted only 10 minutes.

The decision, which had been expected, marks the first time that parliament has had to extend its term since the country's own 15-year civil war ended in 1990, and underlines the growing turmoil in the country spilling over from the conflict in its neighbor.

It is widely seen as a blow to Lebanon's tradition of free elections, but it may help lower tensions at a critical time for the fragile and deeply divided country.