Berri opposes al-Rahi's call for international conference on Lebanon

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri reiterated Monday his call for dialogue, as he stressed that "internationalizing" it needs first a domestic agreement.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi had called last week for an international conference on Lebanon after Lebanese officials failed to hold a dialogue.

"There's no choice but to reach consensus and hold a domestic dialogue," Berri said, adding that he is waiting the visit of French envoy Jean Yves Le Drian to know how, when and where this dialogue will be held, and when to call for a presidential election session.

Last month, Le Drian arrived in Beirut to seek a new push to end the political crisis that has left the country without a president for more than eight months.

His visit came after Lebanese lawmakers failed for a 12th time to elect a new president, an impasse that is causing increasing exasperation in Paris as the country faces an economic and financial crisis. Le Drian is expected to return in mid-July.