Berri Expresses Skepticism over 'Simple Majority Vote' for President

Speaker Nabih Berri voiced his skepticism that the proposal to elect a new president through a simple majority at parliament will work, reported the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat on Sunday.

The daily said that the speaker stressed that the elections must take place through a quorum of two thirds during the first and second rounds of votes.

The new suggestion was made earlier this week following a meeting between Christian lawmakers and Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi.

The gatherers suggested that a new president be elected through a simple majority during the second round of votes at parliament.

Parliamentary sources revealed to al-Hayat that Berri is “disappointed” with the current situation in Lebanon.

“The whole world is paying attention to Lebanon and voicing its keenness to fill the vacuum in the presidency, but the Lebanese factions are too busy squabbling over crumbs and appointments,” he was quoted as saying.

“We are showing ourselves to the world as being uncaring of our country's stability and interests,” he remarked.

Lebanon has been without a president since May 2014 when the term of Michel Suleiman ended without the election of a successor.

Ongoing disputes between the rival March 8 and 14 camps over a compromise candidate have thwarted the polls.

M.T.