Jumblat Meets Berri, Endorses Ferzli for Deputy Speaker

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat on Sunday held talks in Ain el-Tineh with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

Jumblat was accompanied by MP Ghazi Aridi of his Democratic Gathering bloc.

After the meeting, Jumblat confirmed that the PSP's MPs will vote for Berri in a parliamnetary session widely expected to see the Speaker re-elected for a sixth term as head of parliament, a post he has occupied since 1992.

Jumblat also announced that he will instruct his bloc's MPs to vote for veteran politician Elie al-Ferzli for the deputy speaker post.

Ferzli, who is now close to President Michel Aoun, had served as deputy speaker in the past.

Berri and Jumblat have maintained good ties since the days of the 1975-1990 civil war.