Berri says doesn't mind nomination of non-Shiite speaker

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has said that the idea of nominating a non-Shiite speaker does not bother him.

The possibility has been suggested by some newly elected reformists as all Shiite seats in parliament were won by Hizbullah and the veteran speaker's own Amal party. Berri has held the position that goes by convention to a Shiite Muslim since 1992.

"This is what I've been calling for," Berri told al-Joumhouria newspaper, in remarks published Friday. "It's been a while that I've been calling for eliminating sectarianism."

When asked about the possibility of being re-elected with "modest" Christian votes, Berri said "we are modest too," adding that he would cooperate with any Deputy Speaker elected by the MPs.

Current Deputy Speaker Elie Ferzli had lost his seat in the recent Parliamentary elections in West Bekaa.

As of May 22, after the current assembly's mandate expires, the new lawmakers will have 15 days to pick a speaker.