Berri Denies Infringing on Government Powers in Legislation Row

Speaker Nabih Berri has denied that he was seeking to infringe on the powers of the executive authority by calling for a parliamentary session amid a resigned cabinet.

In remarks to several local dailies published Wednesday, Berri said: “I regret such accusations.”

“Since day one from the appointment of Premier-designate Tammam Salam and more than any other time I am seeking to push for the quick formation of a new government,” he said.

A three-day parliamentary session that Berri had called for Monday was postponed to July 16 over lack of quorum caused by the boycott of the March 14 alliance's blocs and the Change and Reform bloc of MP Michel Aoun.

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati has also rejected attending the sessions, saying there was no balance between the parliament, whose term was extended end of May, and the caretaker cabinet.

The agenda of the session has several items, including the extension of army chief Gen. Jean Qahwaji's mandate.

March 14 MPs and Miqati claim that the parliament cannot convene in the absence of the newly formed government except for the extension which is an important issue.

Aoun's lawmakers, on the other hand, have boycotted Monday's session over their rejection to extend the term of Qahwaji, who turns 60 this September- the retirement age of military commanders.

Berri reiterated in his remarks to the newspapers that he holds onto the same agenda for the July 16-17-18 session.

“It does not include any mandatory item. Any MP can accept or reject any proposed draft-law as part of the legitimate democratic game in parliament,” he said.