Berri Describes Himself as 'Centrist,' Demands to be 'Cabinet Guarantee'

Speaker Nabih Berri stressed on Tuesday that he belongs to the centrists bloc more than President Michel Suleiman, Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam and Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat.

“If centrism applies to anyone then it's me... Ever since I presumed the tasks of the speaker, I tried to communicate with all parties and I have always sought to mend ties to achieve consensus,” Berri said in comments published in As Safir newspaper.

He pointed out that he offered to be the guarantee for the new cabinet, vowing not to let any AMAL minister resign, demanding to have a minister in the centrist bloc.

Salam had repeatedly said that he advocates the formation of a 24-minister government that sees the equal distribution of portfolios between the March 8, March 14, and centrist camps, whereby each side would be granted eight ministers.

However, the March 8 coalition had rejected this formula, demanding to obtain the veto power in the government, which was totally rejected by Salam, who vowed to step down if any of the March 8 camp ministers resigned.

Berri said that the centrist camp would include three ministers for Jumblat, two for the president, two for the PM and one for the speaker.

He pointed out that those who describe themselves as centrists are barely represented in the parliament but Salam is seeking to give them eight portfolios.

“This is illogical,” Berri said.

He lashed out at the 24-member cabinet, considering that it favors the March 14 coalition because Salam, despite the fact that he tries to be a centrist, support the alliance.

Asked if Suleiman would ink a decree over the formation of a de facto cabinet, the speaker said: “he will.”

Salam has warned that he would resort to a 14-member cabinet, without the March 8 alliance, accusing the coalition of blocking his efforts to form the government.

“I exerted efforts to convince the March 8 coalition to name Salam for the premiership, I expect him to treat me with the same trust I gave him in order to end the obstacles confronting the formation of his cabinet,” Berri said.

Concerning Salam's decision to consider rotational portfolios in his cabinet, Berri backed the announcement “on the condition that it includes everyone without any exceptions.”

Salam is seeking to form what he called a “cabinet of national interest” that comprises no MP hopefuls.

Meanwhile, the March 14 alliance has been calling for a neutral cabinet, while the March 8 camp has demanded a “political government.”