Berri Says Presidential Deadlock is 'National Obsession'

by Naharnet Newsdesk 20 March 2015, 07:41

Speaker Nabih Berri has said the presidential crisis has become an obsession, stressing that his repeated calls for parliamentary sessions to elect a new head of state are aimed at pushing MPs into assuming their responsibilities.

Berri's visitors quoted him as saying that the presidential crisis has not only become a “national obsession but it is his daily concern.”

The visitors, whose remarks were published in local dailies on Friday, said Berri stressed that his repeated calls on lawmakers to head to parliament to elect a new president are aimed at reminding them of their “constitutional responsibilities.”

The speaker also hoped that Christian leaders would reach a settlement on President Michel Suleiman's successor.

Last week, the 20th session on the election of a president was adjourned to April 2 over lack of quorum.

Suleiman's term ended in May. MPs failed to elect a new president over ongoing disputes between the rival March 8 and 14 camps.

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