Berri: Policy We Adopted Has Helped Lebanese Avoid Ivory Coast Violence
Speaker Nabih Berri condemned criticism directed against the policy that was used in addressing Lebanese expatriates in the Ivory Coast given the dispute between President Laurent Gbagbo and incumbent President Alassane Outtara.
He told An Nahar in remarks published on Sunday: “Lebanon’s decision to stand by Gbagbo was right because tens of thousands of expatriates in Abidjan live in areas that he controls.”
“If it weren’t for such a stand, they would have been targets of his armed gangs,” the speaker noted.
In addition, Berri praised Lebanon’s Ambassador to the Ivory Coast Ali Ajami’s handling of the situation.
He added however that Lebanese expatriates have also forged strong ties with Outtara, and they have also voiced their support for him.
“We are keen on the expatriates regardless of which country they live in,” he stressed.
Berri also condemned attempts to drag the case of Lebanese in the Ivory Coast in Lebanese internal affairs.
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