Berri Snaps Back at Aoun over Appointments Row

Speaker Nabih Berri has stressed that the cabinet would not collapse over a dispute on security and military appointments despite threats made by Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun.

“Even if some (parties) were absent (from the cabinet), it will remain constitutional,” Berri's visitors quoted him as saying.

“They are doing the same thing they did to the parliament,” the speaker said in reference to Aoun's threats. “No one is bigger than his country.”

MPs from Aoun's Change and Reform bloc in addition to Hizbullah and other March 8 alliance lawmakers have been boycotting parliamentary sessions aimed at electing a head of state.

Asked whether the government will turn into a caretaker if the FPM and Hizbullah ministers boycotted its meetings, Berri said: “It depends on Prime Minister (Tammam) Salam's stance.”

“I believe everyone will be damaged and I think that the boycotting parties will return (to the cabinet) after two or three sessions,” he added.

Berri's remarks were published in local dailies on Wednesday.

Aoun said following the weekly meeting of his Change and Reform bloc on Tuesday that the government should go on vacation until September if it will not appoint new security and military chiefs.

He has repeatedly warned the government against extending the terms of the army and Internal Security Forces chiefs, deeming it illegal.

He allegedly backs the appointment of his son-in-law, Commando Regiment chief Brig. Gen. Chamel Roukoz, as army commander.

Military chief Gen. Jean Qahwaji is set to retire on September 23.

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