Report: Hizbullah prevents Aoun-Berri clash over president's remarks

Hizbullah took part in behind-the-scenes political contacts over the past few hours in a bid to contain the repercussions of President Michel Aoun’s remarks from Bkirki, in which he accused the Shiite Duo of obstructing the probe into the Beirut port blast, a media report said.

Aoun’s remarks came after Finance Minister Youssef Khalil, who is close to Speaker Nabih Berri, refused to sign the appointments of the heads of the Court of Cassation, which is looking into recusal lawsuits against the judge leading the investigations into the port blast case, Tarek Bitar.

Quoting Ain el-Tineh visitors, ad-Diyar newspaper said Berri was dismayed by Aoun’s remarks but chose to remain silent.

Sources close to Aoun meanwhile said that the president is not seeking an escalation and that his remarks were merely “a description of facts.”