Mashnouq: Berri, the National Authority Required at the Moment

Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq said that Speaker Nabih Berri is the only national authority capable of handling the current phase in the country and of finding a solution to the crisis.

“The only national reference capable of wisely handling the governmental crisis is Speaker Nabih Berri. He is capable of finding a solution,” Mashnouq told An Nahar daily on Friday.

“The current stage that Lebanon is passing through is transitional and very critical. No one is capable of founding for a new stage at this time,” said the Minister.

“In the end, Berri may have a solution. The country needs a national authority and Berri is the man for it,” stressed Mashnouq.

On Wednesday's street actions of the Free Patriotic Movement, Mashnouq said: “They have the right to express their views peacefully, but it is unacceptable that they heap insults and accusations at others the way they did.”

FPM supporters took to the streets upon the request of MP Michel Aoun protesting the extension of the terms of the top military and security brass because the lawmaker wants his son-in-law Brig. Gen. Chamel Roukoz, who is the Commando Regiment chief, to become army chief.

Defense Minister Samir Moqbel extended last week the terms of the army commander, the chief of staff and the secretary general of the Higher Defense Council.

D.A.

M.T.