Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri fiercely replied to the repeated accusations by the Leader of the Lebanese Forces party, Samir Geagea, that he (Berri) is responsible for obstructing the presidential elections. He stated, “It has become clear that Geagea does not want dialogue or the election of a president, as he is trying to push for the adoption of federalism, which he did not give up on. Unfortunately, the man still definitely lives in Halat.”
Regarding the government's decision to grant financial compensation to southerners affected by Israeli attacks, Berri found Geagea's objection to it strange, noting that “the people of the South deserve these compensations, which do not exceed one million dollars.”
On another note, Berri was “flexible and responsive” towards the efforts of the Quintet committee. He said that he replaced “dialogue” with “consultation” as per the request of the Quintet, because he considers it to be “synonym for dialogue” as he informed the French envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian and the committee.
He pointed out that “the natural place for any consultation is the Parliament, which is an institution with a president.”
“The president, whoever he may be, is supposed to chair the consultation session between the blocs, considering that this right is not personally mine to relinquish but is related to the position and its attributes,” he told the Lebanese daily newspaper AL Joumhouria, noting that there has been a precedent in Ain al-Tineh before the Doha Conference in 2008.
Regarding the proposal presented by US President Joe Biden to stop the war in Gaza, it seems “acceptable and can serve as a basis for further discussions,” Berri said, adding, “although there are some comments to it.”
He noted that Biden needs the war in Gaza to stop due to considerations related to the US presidential elections, especially with the recent shift in the American public mood, as evidenced by the unprecedented student protests at universities.
The Speaker of the House affirmed that “once calm is achieved in the Gaza Strip, it will automatically extend to the southern front.”
“The next day, US envoy Amos Hochstein will be here to continue negotiations on the future situation at the border with occupied Palestine,” he assured.
Berri revealed that he had made progress in understanding with Hochstein on some principles that any final agreement would be based on, particularly regarding the Israeli army’s withdrawal from the border points it still occupies.
Regarding Resolution 1701, Berri emphasized adherence to it as the sole framework for the “day after” the war on the Lebanese front.
Regarding the government's decision to grant financial compensation to southerners affected by Israeli attacks, Berri found Geagea's objection to it strange, noting that “the people of the South deserve these compensations, which do not exceed one million dollars.”
On another note, Berri was “flexible and responsive” towards the efforts of the Quintet committee. He said that he replaced “dialogue” with “consultation” as per the request of the Quintet, because he considers it to be “synonym for dialogue” as he informed the French envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian and the committee.
He pointed out that “the natural place for any consultation is the Parliament, which is an institution with a president.”
“The president, whoever he may be, is supposed to chair the consultation session between the blocs, considering that this right is not personally mine to relinquish but is related to the position and its attributes,” he told the Lebanese daily newspaper AL Joumhouria, noting that there has been a precedent in Ain al-Tineh before the Doha Conference in 2008.
Regarding the proposal presented by US President Joe Biden to stop the war in Gaza, it seems “acceptable and can serve as a basis for further discussions,” Berri said, adding, “although there are some comments to it.”
He noted that Biden needs the war in Gaza to stop due to considerations related to the US presidential elections, especially with the recent shift in the American public mood, as evidenced by the unprecedented student protests at universities.
The Speaker of the House affirmed that “once calm is achieved in the Gaza Strip, it will automatically extend to the southern front.”
“The next day, US envoy Amos Hochstein will be here to continue negotiations on the future situation at the border with occupied Palestine,” he assured.
Berri revealed that he had made progress in understanding with Hochstein on some principles that any final agreement would be based on, particularly regarding the Israeli army’s withdrawal from the border points it still occupies.
Regarding Resolution 1701, Berri emphasized adherence to it as the sole framework for the “day after” the war on the Lebanese front.
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