Berri Urges End to Debate on Lebanon's Arab Identity

Speaker Nabih Berri on Wednesday called for putting an end to the latest “debate” in the country over Lebanon's Arab identity, amid a row between Iran-backed Hizbullah and Saudi Arabia and its Lebanese allies.

Speaking to MPs during the weekly parliamentary meeting in Ain al-Tineh, Berri urged an end to the exchange of tirades, noting that Lebanon's Arab identity is enshrined in the preamble to the Lebanese Constitution.

Saudi Arabia has recently accused Tehran-backed Hizbullah of practicing hegemony over Lebanese state institutions after Lebanon's foreign minister abstained from voting on Arab and Islamic resolutions condemning attacks against the kingdom's diplomatic missions in Iran.

The kingdom started a series of measures against Lebanon and Hizbullah on February 19 when its foreign ministry announced that the kingdom was halting around $4 billion in military aid to the Lebanese army and security forces, which has prompted the March 14 camp to strongly criticize Hizbullah and Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil.

Separately, Berri stressed Wednesday the importance of “consensus” among the political parties in order to elect a new president as soon as possible.

Earlier in the day, Berri adjourned the 36th presidential election session at parliament due to lack of quorum.

Y.R.