Berri to hold presidential consultations as '3rd candidate' choice advances

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri is holding consultations with political leaders inside the country and foreign parties in order to re-activate the presidential election file, media reports said.

Berri’s move comes after “the emergence of information that the file has returned to international attention amid signs indicating that the situation is in dire need for completing the electoral process,” ad-Diyar newspaper reported.

“Accordingly, after the holidays Speaker Berri will conduct consultations aimed at reaching an agreement among the various parties, amid information that a ‘third choice candidate’ will have the advantage,” political sources quoted French and Qatari officials as saying.