Berri Says Lebanese 'Useless' in Finding Solution to Presidential Crisis
Speaker Nabih Berri has expressed regret that Lebanese officials failed to resolve the presidential crisis without the mediation of countries that have influence on Lebanon.
“We the Lebanese are useless,” Berri told al-Mustaqbal daily in remarks published on Thursday.
“Shahhadeen w Msharteen (We beg by putting conditions),” he said in Arabic.
Baabda Palace has been vacant since President Michel Suleiman's six-year term ended in May 2014.
Sharp differences between the March 8 and 14 alliances caused the vacuum, which also led to the paralysis of the parliament and disputes among cabinet members.
Several envoys from countries having influence on Lebanon have failed to strike a deal on the election of a new president.
“The presidential file is a Lebanese and not a foreign issue,” Berri stressed.
But he hoped that an agreement between Iran, the U.S. and five other world powers would “pave way towards rapprochement between Tehran and the Gulf countries all the way to Baabda Palace.”
The deal that was finalized on Tuesday aims to curb Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for billions of dollars in sanctions relief.
Iran is Hizbullah's main backer.
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