Berri Says Failure to Hold By-elections Violates Constitution

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri announced Wednesday that the failure to hold parliamentary by-elections to fill three vacant seats in Tripoli and Keserwan is “a violation of the Constitution,” lamenting that “these by-elections will not be held.”

The by-elections were supposed to be held on September 24, according to media reports. They were supposed to be organized to fill seats left vacant by the resignation of MP Robert Fadel, the death of MP Badr Wannous and the election of Michel Aoun as the country's president.

Separately, Berri called Wednesday for a legislative session on September 19 and 20.

“Parliament will instantly discuss the state budget after the Finance Committee finalizes its reports,” MPs quoted Berri as saying during the weekly Ain el-Tineh meeting.

“There is no problem if there is any disagreement and the matter will eventually be referred to the legislature,” the speaker added.

Berri also stressed the need to “reinforce the work of supervisory bodies and their role in combating corruption and the waste of public money.”