Berri Calls for 'Rescuing' Port Probe along with Presidential Term

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has reportedly called on the political parties to show unity in order to “rescue” the port blast probe as well as President Michel Aoun’s tenure and the whole country.

“Let them vote for the formation of a (parliamentary) panel of inquiry, which would solve 80% of Lebanon’s current problem, and this is what the parliament speaker told to the Maronite patriarch, who expressed his delight and support,” sources close to Berri told al-Joumhouria newspaper in remarks published Monday.

Criticizing investigative judge Tarek Bitar, the sources said the judge must “work according to the law and the constitution, not more and not less.”

“The President made an oath to preserve the constitution, whereas the judge who was appointed by them has violated four articles of this constitution,” the sources charged.

Bitar “acknowledged the judiciary’s jurisdiction to hold the accused judges accountable, but at the same time he does not want to recognize the powers of parliament,” the sources added.