Parliamentary Session to See Light on Tuesday Despite Standstill

The controversial parliamentary session set to convene on Tuesday will not face the fate of its predecessors after several parliamentary blocs and MPs are expected to attend it, local newspapers pointed out.

According to An Nahar newspaper published on Monday, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati, the staunch opponent to Speaker Nabih Berri's calls to hold a session, is expected to attend Tuesday's session to participate in electing the parliamentary committees.

However, the premier will not attend Wednesday’s session as he argues that there is no balance between the powers of the legislative and executive branches amid a resigned government.

For his part, head al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc ex-PM Fouad Saniora said that the bloc would attend Tuesday's session but will not attend any session that aims at discussing the parliament's agenda.

He pointed out that the bloc is holding on to its stance and will boycott parliamentary sessions that are set to discuss decrees.

Saniora said that he will hold talks with Berri on the sidelines of Tuesday's session to continue their last meeting.

Berri described his meeting with Sanior as “positive,” hailing al-Mustaqbal MP's stances.

The two officials held talks on Saturday night in Ain el-Tineh.

“The meeting is a continuation of the talks we held more than two weeks ago. We discussed a large number of key issues that are of interest to the Lebanese and the dialogue was positive, beneficial and constructive,” Saniora said after the meeting.

Al-Mustaqbal MP Nabil De Freij confirmed in comments to Voice of Lebanon Radio (100.5) that the bloc will attend Tuesday's parliamentary session to elect the committees.

Berri told al-Joumhouria newspaper that several parliamentary blocs voiced their support to Tuesday's session, ruling out that any party would change it's stance.

However, he expected that “things will remain the same.”

Berri reiterated that he will not “modify” the agenda set for discussions.

“I might be negligent regarding the jurisdictions of the parliament but I am not ready to budge an inch over mine,” Berri told the newspaper.

He noted that MPs could attend the legislative sessions and reject or approve any decree.