Berri to Go 'Hand in Hand' With Franjieh and Jumblat as For Naming the PM
Speaker Nabih Berri said on Wednesday that he will show cooperation at the governmental level, but stressed that he will go hand in hand with Marada Movement chief Suleiman Franjieh and PSP leader Walid Jumblat with regard to nomination of the upcoming new Prime Minister, al-Akhbar daily reported.
Well-informed sources told the daily “there is great positivity on Berri's part as he plans to name Mustaqbal Movement chief Saad Hariri for the post of premiership.”
Berri had told his visitors on Tuesday, on the eve of the binding parliamentary consultations, that his bloc will meet Wednesday to discuss naming the premier designate, as he pointed out that Hizbullah has not taken a stance as yet.
The binding parliamentary consultations with elected President Michel Aoun for the designation of a new premier kicked off on Wednesday at the presidential palace in Baabda and will continue until Thursday.
Berri denied reports claiming that Hizbullah has authorized him to hold consultations with President Aoun on behalf of the party and AMAL movement, he said: “Our stance is always one. Maybe the reports circulating in that regard stem from the fact that we go to the binding consultations and the formation of the government with a united position.”
Berri stressed: “ Let them know from the beginning that I will not continue without Jumblat and Franjieh.”
Berri will meet with Aoun for the binding consultations on Thursday at the end of which the president shall brief the Speaker with the outcome of the consultations, a step that comes in accordance with the constitution.
As for the newly elected President Michel Aoun, Berri praised the oath of office taken by Aoun, he said: “His speech was calm and has shown the Lebanese that he represents them all. May God protect President Aoun from those around him.”
Hariri is tipped to be re-designated as premier in light of his key support for Aoun's nomination and Hizbullah's announcement that it is not opposed to his return to the premiership.
On Monday, Aoun was elected president of the republic. His election ends a presidential void that lasted around two and a half years. His chances were largely boosted by a key endorsement from Hariri in mid-October.
Analysts have warned that Aoun's election will not be a "magic wand" for Lebanon, which has seen longstanding political divisions exacerbated by the war in neighboring Syria and has struggled to deal with an influx of more than a million Syrian refugees.
In addition to pledges of economic growth and security, Aoun said in his oath of office that Lebanon must work to ensure Syrian refugees "can return quickly" to their country.
Aoun also pledged to endorse an "independent foreign policy" and to protect Lebanon from "the fires burning across the region."
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