Berri rejects elections postponement, says Quintet in favor of move

Speaker Nabih Berri on Monday clarified that he has said that “the atmosphere of the five-nation group for Lebanon is in favor of postponing the elections.”

Berri added that he has not at all mentioned “any ambassador, neither from the Quintet, nor from other sides.”

In remarks to Asharq al-Awsat newspaper, Berri had emphasized that the elections will take place on time.

“Ambassadors from the Quintet are in favor of postponement, so I informed them of my rejection. I also told the rest of the ambassadors (of the Quintet) that I do not back a technical postponement of parliamentary elections or an extension of parliament’s term,” the daily quoted Berri as saying.

“I was the first to submit a nomination for the elections in order to block the way of those who try to hold me responsible for technical postponement or extending parliament’s term,” Berri added.

He underscored that, in his viewpoint, there is no justification for postponing constitutional obligations, topped by the election of a new parliament.

“They will take place on time and I’m keen on holding them on schedule and according to the law that is currently in effect. Those who want postponement must shoulder their responsibilities instead of blaming others,” he added.