Naharnet

Berri Says Cabinet 'Gift' After Easter, Formation Needs a ‘Prayer for the Dead’

Speaker Nabih Berri said after meeting with President Michel Suleiman at Baabda palace on Wednesday that the cabinet formation “gift” on the occasion of the holidays “is on its way but would arrive after Easter.”

Berri also held talks with Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati on Tuesday night.

He has reportedly asked his visitors to “pray for the dead” in hope that this would speed up the formation of the cabinet.

Addressing Free Patriotic Movement chief Michel Aoun’s demand to hold parliamentary sessions to adopt several draft-laws, Berri promised to call for “daily sessions” as soon as Aoun finds a “fatwa” that allows the parliament to meet amid a caretaking cabinet.

“Let them form a cabinet and leave everything to me,” Berri told his visitors.

The speaker wondered why he is the only person to be blamed for several issues, they told An Nahar and As Safir dailies in remarks published Wednesday.

He reportedly said that some people are asking him to call for a parliamentary session and others want him to become an investigator and a judge protecting al-Mustaqbal MP Jamal al-Jarrah from Syrian accusations that he is funding a terrorist cell in Syria.

“They are asking me to summon Syrian Ambassador Ali Abdul Karim Ali” and investigate al-Jarrah’s case, Berri reportedly said.

On his meeting with Miqati, the speaker told As Safir that the “atmosphere was positive” but more time is needed to find a solution to the deadlock and mainly the obstacle of the interior ministry.


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