Berri Says Local Initiatives 'Ineffective,' Urges Foreign Efforts to Solve Lebanon's Crises

Speaker Nabih Berri stated on Friday that locally-tailored initiatives are “ineffective,” adding that efforts to find solutions to Lebanon's crises must be exerted abroad.

"We are proving that Lebanon cannot rule itself and is always in need of help,” Berri said after meeting with a delegation of the Syndicate of Editors' board.

He elaborated: “I came forward with several initiatives that I don't think should have been rejected. I still think the proposal I suggested back in August is best and is viable. It includes all points of disagreements between local factions.”

"But in short, efforts must be made outside Lebanon.”

On August 31, the speaker suggested holding a five-day dialogue retreat to discuss pending issues in the country.

In a televised speech he gave in the 35th memory of the disappearance of the spiritual leader Moussa al-Sadr, Berri proposed to President Michel Suleiman “setting a roadmap that includes holding a five-day dialogue retreat to discuss the formation of the cabinet and its policy statement.”

Berri warned that it is not longer acceptable to continue amid the current deadlock in several issues in the country.

"We are approaching a new year and we have the presidential election ahead,” he said.

"Independence Day is near but how can we celebrate it when we cannot even sit together and discuss pending issues. Is Independence Day only about watching a military parade?”

He continued: “We say we want democracy but is locking the parliament, not abiding by the constitution, and not forming a cabinet part of democracy?”

"Issues of disagreement in local affairs are known and we are supposed to hold dialogue and discuss them. As far as I know, there is no enmity between one Lebanese and another; there are only political disagreements. These can be solved through dialogue.”

The Shiite leader stressed that communication must also take place between Saudi Arabia and Iran, adding that the Kingdom can ease the issue of the cabinet's formation.

“As for participation in dialogue sessions, it is in the hands of the Lebanese themselves,” he noted.

Asked whether he was concerned about the security situation in the country, Berri assured reporters he is not.

“There is a decision not to go back to 1958 and 1975,” he said.