Speaker Nabih Berri announced on Wednesday that he will call next week for a session to extend parliament's term.
He made the declaration during his weekly meeting with lawmakers at his Ain el-Tineh residence.
Full StoryFree Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun noted on Tuesday that differences are a normal part of political life, stressing that he seeks national unity among Lebanese factions.
He said: “The differences are normal part of politics, which should be practiced calmly during this phase.”
Full StorySpeaker Nabih Berri hailed the Lebanese army for "eradicating" terrorist groups in the northern city of Tripoli and nearby areas without making any compromises.
“The Lebanese army is one of the strongest militaries in the region but lacks arms and ammunition,” Berri told As Safir daily in remarks published on Tuesday.
Full StoryU.S. Ambassador to Lebanon David Hale commended on Monday the bravery of the personnel of the Lebanese Armed Forces, “who are working to keep the northern city of Tripoli and northern region Akkar safe for all residents” in light of the recent clashes.
He said after holding talks with Speaker Nabih Berri: “We condemn those who seek to sow chaos and discord in Lebanon and are confident the Lebanese people stand united in the face of this threat.”
Full StorySpeaker Nabih Berri expressed concern on Monday over the situation in the northern coastal city of Tripoli, stressing that “security can only be implemented by using force.”
“The developments in Tripoli didn't come as a surprise. They are the normal result of incitement speech and the proliferation of arms,” Berri's visitors quoted him as saying in comments published in al-Joumhouria newspaper.
Full StoryMilitant Ahmed Salim Miqati, who was arrested during an army raid in the town of Asoun in the northern district of Dinniyeh, and 12 members of his terrorist cell, had plans to execute violent attacks on the 27th of Oct against Ashura gatherings in several Shiite Lebanese areas, media reports said.
The cell that includes Miqati, 5 Lebanese and 7 Syrian nationals had plans to move from Tripoli to Beirut. Another terrorist cell was meant to join them from the Burj al-Barajneh and the Ain el-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp to help execute suicidal terrorist attacks against Shiite gatherings in the southern suburb of Beirut, Nabatieh and Lassa in Jbeil.
Full StoryA top European Union official said he informed Lebanese officials during his visit to Beirut that the presidential and parliamentary elections should be held to have a healthy democracy
Hugues Mingarelli, who is the Managing Director for North Africa, Middle East, the Arabian Peninsula, Iran and Iraq at the European External Action Service, said: “You have a democracy and there are routine elections and a multi-party system.”
Full StorySpeaker Nabih Berri on Thursday voiced concern over possible further delay of the $3 billion Saudi grant to the Lebanese army, following similar remarks by Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat.
“There are concerns that the Saudi grant might be delayed or called off despite the dire need for it, and delay would strip it of its value,” Berri said in remarks to al-Manar TV.
Full StoryThe extension of parliament's mandate has become a foregone conclusion after both Speaker Nabih Berri and al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc leader MP Fouad Saniora hinted that there was no option but to extend the term of lawmakers despite a veto by influential Christian figures.
Saniora told al-Mustaqbal daily in remarks published on Wednesday that he discussed with Berri a day earlier the extension of the legislature's tenure.
Full StoryParliament's bureau members were reelected during a short session on Tuesday as a first implicit step towards a second extension of the legislature's term.
MPs also elected the heads, members and rapporteurs of 16 parliamentary committees in line with the internal system.
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