Berri Receives Official Invitation to Visit Saudi Arabia

Speaker Nabih Berri received on Thursday an official invitation to travel to Saudi Arabia.

He received the invitation after holding talks at his Ain el-Tineh residence with Saudi Ambassador Ali Awadh Asiri.

The invitation comes at a time of intense consultations among Lebanese officials to resolve the vacuum in the presidency that started in May 2014.

Recent efforts saw the emergence of Marada Movement chief MP Suleiman Franjieh as a presidential candidate.

This move received the blessing of Asiri on December 3 after he had held talks with Kataeb Party chief MP Sami Gemayel.

The ambassador said however that the kingdom does not interfere in Lebanon's internal affairs, but “supports any candidate who enjoys the backing of the Lebanese people, especially the Christians.”