Berri urges end to 'obstruction' and 'political absurdity'

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Tuesday called for an end to “obstruction” and “political and constitutional absurdity,” in an apparent reference to the ongoing delay in the formation of a new government.

“We call on the international community to shoulder its responsibilities by pressing the political and security levels in the Israeli entity, reining in its hostility and compelling it to abide by the relevant U.N. resolutions,” Berri said in a written statement marking the first day of the 2006 war with Israel.

“In parallel, we stress in the name of Lebanon, in which the army-people-resistance triangle triumphed, that we will defend our maritime and land resources more than we defended our land,” Berri added.

Calling for “unity and dialogue,” the Speaker urged an end to “any attempt to topple Lebanon from the inside through the blows of obstruction.”

He also warned against “plunging its institutions into vacuum” and called for “stopping political and constitutional absurdity” and putting an end to “sacrificing the country at the altar of personal and selfish grudges.”

“Those committing these actions and policies are committing a crime and a treason against Lebanon and the Lebanese,” Berri cautioned.