Berri 'cautiously optimistic' over dialogue possibility

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri is “cautiously optimistic” regarding the possibility of holding national dialogue over the presidential file, after the initiative that he launched in his speech on Thursday, sources close to him said.

The sources added, in remarks to al-Joumhouria newspaper, that “despite the rejection of Berri’s initiative by some Christian and political forces, it still can secure success if the Free Patriotic Movement, the majority of Sunni MPs and some of the Change MPs take part in dialogue, knowing that positive signs have been made by these forces as to the speaker’s proposal.”

Berri called Thursday on political blocs to engage in dialogue in September to elect a president, a vacancy that has been unfilled for 10 months.

Crisis-hit Lebanon has been without a president since Michel Aoun's term ended in October last year, with neither of the two main blocs -- the Iran-backed Hezbollah and its opponents -- having the majority required to elect one.

"I call on the leaders and representatives of the parliamentary blocs to take part in a dialogue in parliament in September, for a period not exceeding seven days, following which open sessions would be held... to achieve the election of a president," Berri said.

The speaker, whose Amal Movement is closely aligned with Hezbollah, said he was making the appeal "before it is too late."

Berri has so far refused requests from members of the anti-Hezbollah camp to hold open sessions until a president is elected.

The blocs opposed to Hezbollah and its allies have refused to take part in talks to agree on a head of state before proceeding with a vote, preferring to rely on the democratic process.