Berri Warns he Would Take Measures against Boycotting MPs

Speaker Nabih Berri has issued a stern warning against the MPs who are boycotting parliamentary sessions, saying he would take measures against them for “only choosing from the menu the food they like.”

In remarks to As Safir newspaper published on Wednesday, Berri said: “Things would get straight if those who are boycotting the (sessions) implement the Constitution and laws.”

“But the problem is that they don't want to implement them and each one of them wants his own Constitutional quarter,” he said.

Berri accused them of being “worse them farm owners.”

The majority of March 8 alliance's MPs have been boycotting sessions aimed at electing a new president while Christian lawmakers backed by al-Mustaqbal bloc are causing lack of quorum in a legislative session aimed at discussing the wage scale to protest the failure to choose a head of state.

President Michel Suleiman left Baabda Palace on May 25 after the expiry of his six-year term and following the failure of parliament in several rounds to elect a successor.

The vacuum in the presidential palace spilled over into parliament after the Christian and al-Mustaqbal MPs boycotted a session aimed at approving the controversial salary hike for the public sector.

Berri vowed not to remain silent. “They will hear from me what they haven't heard so far. They will also see measures.”

He did not elaborate.

“They would be striking the Lebanese entity if they continue to behave this way,” Berri said.

“Has legislation turned into a menu from which they choose the food they like?” he asked.

A session for the election of a president is set for next Monday and another for the discussion of the wage raise the next day. But the same MPs are holding onto their stance of boycott.

G.K.

H.K.