Berri: There is Consensus to Reject Infighting

Speaker Nabih Berri said Tuesday that there has been consensus not to engage in infighting and expressed optimism that Lebanon's political crisis will end soon.

Berri told a delegation from the Economic Committees led by Adnan Kassar that Lebanon is relatively better than other countries in the region despite all its problems.

He told the business leaders and owners of major firms, who visited him in Ain el-Tineh, that they shouldn't be very pessimistic despite the paralysis of state institutions.

Lebanon “enjoys a decision whose source is the people, leadership, sects, parties, regions and factions not to fight and not to return to the (civil) war,” Berri said.

“The current crisis is a political one and will go away soon,” he said.

The speaker warned that those who did not believe in Lebanon's prosperity would be vanquished.

Kassar said the Committees visited Berri to reiterate their backing to an initative that he launched last month to resolve the country's political crisis and government stalemate.

He lauded Berri for playing a positive role in bringing the rival parties closer by calling for a national dialogue conclave at Baabda Palace.

“We informed the Speaker that the economic situation and social conditions have reached a low point … and that there is a necessity to form a government to confront the dangers surrounding us,” said Kassar.

He revealed that the Committees were holding discussions with the General Labor Confederation and members of civil society to find ways to resolve the country's crises.

The delegation also met with caretaker PM Najib Miqati and Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam.