Berri: No Foreign Obstacle to Cabinet Formation Process

Speaker Nabih Berri has denied that any foreign meddling was delaying the cabinet formation process saying the obstacles were purely local.

In remarks to As Safir daily published Friday, Berri refused to set a date for the formation of the government saying that the actual process began after the March 14 alliance’s rally at the Martyrs Square last Sunday.

The speaker’s visitors told An Nahar newspaper that Berri had said in reference to Syria: “If there is any foreign side hindering the formation, then show it to me.”

Asked by As Safir about the country’s sectarian system, the speaker said: “As long as the present is not clear, then it’s better to look to the future.”

He lauded youth movements calling for the abolishment of the confessional system saying he would meet with a delegation that would propose a draft law on personal status.

“I would deal seriously with the proposal and immediately refer it to involved parliamentary committees to study it,” Berri stressed.