Berri to meet Salam after consultations' end amid efforts to contain Duo's discontent
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri will meet Friday with Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam, a day after non-binding consultations boycotted by Amal and ally Hezbollah.
Berri told LBCI that he doubts that Amal and Hezbollah's MPs would meet Salam.
The parliamentary consultations to form a new government will be held on Wednesday and Thursday. Hezbollah and Amal boycotted the consultations, to voice their objection against Salam's appointment, as Hezbollah accused unnamed parties of reneging on an agreement that promised the re-appointment of former PM Najib Mikati. The boycott does not necessarily mean that the two parties will not take part in the new government.
Berri told LBCI that "Lebanon needs to move forward," and said that he did not have a call with French President Emmanuel Macron, who is reportedly seeking to resolve the Shiite Duo's discontent. Asharq al-Awsat newspaper reported Wednesday a call between Macron and Berri and another between the French president and his newly-elected counterpart Joseph Aoun. Berri confirmed that a call with Macron was scheduled.
Asharq al-Awsat also said that Aoun is seeking to contain the situation and convince Amal and Hezbollah to take part in the new government. Berri told the daily that "things are not that bad," before telling LBCI that he cannot confirm that Amal and Hezbollah's blocs would meet Salam.
Macron is due to visit Lebanon on Friday to mark "the unwavering commitment of France to support Lebanon, its sovereignty and unity," his office said. He will also follow up on the implementation of a U.S.-French brokered ceasefire reached in late November between Israel and Hezbollah.
Macron said Monday that Salam's appointment represented "hope for change" in Lebanon and hoped Salam's government could be both "strong" and "represent all the diversity of the Lebanese people."
Source: Naharnet
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