Berri Says Reaction to his Initiative 'Encouraging,' it will Reveal who is Obstructing Dialogue

Speaker Nabih Berri said Wednesday the preliminary assessment of the meetings that members of his parliamentary bloc held with the country's top officials on his roadmap to resolve the political crisis was “encouraging.”

His stance came during his weekly meeting with MPs. “The initiative has received a major support from several parties,” he said.

The roadmap “aims at facilitating the cabinet formation and not obstructing it,” he said.

The meetings of the MPs from the Development and Liberation bloc showed “who is facilitating dialogue and who is obstructing it,” Berri told As Safir newspaper published on Wednesday.

Berri had tasked members of his bloc to meet with President Michel Suleiman, Caretaker Premier Najib Miqati, Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam and the leaders of parliamentary blocs to brief them on his initiative.

The speaker's roadmap focuses on a five-day dialogue conclave held by the rival March 8 and March 14 camps at Baabda Palace under Suleiman and with the participation of Salam.

His proposal lies in discussing the form and policy statement of the future cabinet, reviving talks on a new electoral law, supporting the military to deal with arms proliferated in several regions, in addition to addressing a national defense strategy, a reference to Hizbullah's arms.

Berri warned that officials obstructing national dialogue would have a political and moral responsibility for the continued crisis.

He said the stance of Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun and the Phalange from the initiative was “very positive.”

“As for al-Mustaqbal movement, it backed the call for dialogue but considered that certain issues needed more discussion,” Berri told As Safir.

“I don't mind to continue contacts because any dialogue is in itself positive and beneficiary,” he said.