Berri Says Officials Acting 'Irrationally,' Voices Concern over Security Situation

Speaker Nabih Berri considered on Tuesday that politicians can't act “rationally” and “realistically,” expressing concern over the security situation in the country.

“The Lebanese mentality hasn't changed a bit... The stances adopted by politicians will never change,” Berri said in comments published in local newspaper.

He noted that the sharp sectarian rhetoric threatens the division of Muslims and their future.

Although Lebanon has officially adopted a position of neutrality in Syria's war, its people are sharply divided with Hizbullah and its allies backing President Bashar Assad's regime and the March 14 coalition supports the rebellion.

Syria's civil war has exacerbated sectarian tensions in Lebanon and its security situation has deteriorated due to various groups intervention in battles in the neighboring country.

“I fear on Islam,” the speaker said.

Analysts recently warned that the foray into Syria's civil war by Hizbullah has fueled a Sunni-Shiite polarization that threatens to feed extremism on both sides and export the conflict to the wider region.

Asked about the situation in Tripoli, Berri warns of the “bloodbath” in the northern city, rejecting any criticism to the army and its officers.

This division between the Lebanese foes is clearly reflected in frequent deadly clashes in Lebanon's second-largest city, Tripoli, between Sunni and Alawite gunmen. The army warned on Friday of a plot to embroil Lebanon in the 26-month Syrian conflict.

More than 500,000 Syrians fleeing the conflict have sought refuge in Lebanon, which is increasingly being sucked into the war.

Concerning the two challenges submitted to the constitutional council, Berri said that “he doesn't fear the elections but is scared over the situation in the country.”

He stressed that Hizbullah and AMAL are ready to the polls if the constitutional council approves the challenges.

President Michel Suleiman and the Change and Reform bloc of FPM chief Michel Aoun made the challenges respectively on June 1 and June 3 after the legislature extended its term for 17 months, pushing the elections date to November 2014.

The parliament's move came after the rival parties failed to agree on a new law to govern the polls and amid the rejection of the implementation of the 1960 law that was used in the 2009 elections.