Berri 'relieved' on presidential file, rest of month 'critical'

The developments related to the presidential file are “more than relieving,” contrary to “all the tense atmosphere that is being created by political components angry over the foreign efforts,” informed sources said.

The tense atmosphere has been reflected in “the unprecedented attack on the French role, which has presented Marada Movement chief Suleiman Franjieh as the candidate who has the highest chances and whose election would achieve Lebanon’s interest,” the sources added, in remarks to al-Joumhouria newspaper published Thursday.

Official sources meanwhile told the daily that “the U.S. ambassador’s visit to Ain el-Tineh and her meeting with Speaker Nabih Berri was part of the relieving atmosphere, and so was the consultations tour that Saudi Ambassador Walid Bukhari has begun with political leaders, especially his meeting with Berri yesterday.”

“What remains of the current month of May will be a critical period dedicated to attempting to reach a final Lebanese presidential settlement,” the newspaper quoted highly informed sources as saying.

An Arab diplomatic source for his part told al-Joumhouria that he expects “positive developments related to the presidential file in Lebanon, as a natural outcome of the efforts that Lebanon’s friends and brothers are exerting in this regard.”