Miqati Snaps Back at Berri over Suspicion on Call for Parliamentary Session

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati has snapped back at Speaker Nabih Berri, who has been suspicious of his call for a parliamentary session to specify the jurisdiction of a caretaker cabinet.

“Is it possible that I ask the speaker to call for a general assembly to explain the concept of a caretaker (cabinet) and I don't attend it?” Miqati wondered in remarks published in An Nahar newspaper on Thursday.

Berri hinted in similar remarks on Wednesday that he wanted guarantees that Miqati would be present at the assembly after he has boycotted several sessions that the speaker has called for.

But the caretaker PM said there were differences between such sessions with a huge agenda and a general assembly aimed at spelling out the tasks of the caretaker government.

Miqati has been boycotting parliamentary sessions with 45 items on their agenda over claims that the legislature should only meet for emergency issues amid a resigned cabinet.

The sessions haven't been held yet over the boycott of several parliamentary blocs, mainly the March 14 alliance's al-Mustaqbal, which has severely criticized Berri for trying to impose the power of the legislature on the rest of the state institutions.

Miqati told An Nahar that he would attend the general assembly that should deal with interpreting the Constitution and resorting to voting by two thirds majority of the 128-seat parliament.

The caretaker PM also rejected accusations that he was seeking to give additional powers to his resigned government.

“How could I do so as long as I reject to call for a cabinet session?” he wondered.