Bassil backs Berri's call for 'dialogue' over presidency

Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil has said that the FPM has always called for “consensus” and “dialogue” among the Lebanese over the presidential file.

“That’s why today we must seek to secure unanimity over presidential consensus and we must not allow those who have less than one third (of parliament’s seats) to block dialogue and the election of a president,” Bassil added, during the annual dinner of the FPM’s Zahle department.

“Some are meanwhile betting on developments for the election of a president and they want to impose a president on us. This matter pushes us to back the call for dialogue that has been voiced by Speaker Nabih Berri, and what’s important is that we don’t have the intention to exclude anyone from the consultation and consensus process,” Bassil went on to say.

“But if we fail to secure unanimity, this does not allow anyone who has less than one third to block the electoral process because they are betting on Israel’s invasion,” the FPM leader added.

Noting that the election of a president would be the gateway for resolving Lebanon’s crises, Bassil said “awaiting the Gaza war to elect a president would be a crime against Lebanon.”

“The Lebanese interior understands the importance of electing a president in order to go to the negotiations,” the FPM chief added.