Berri Sites Tangible Progress in Cabinet Formation

Speaker Nabih Berri reassured Lebanese citizens on Wednesday that the government formation is making a “tangible progress” and the atmosphere is better than before.

There is a strong insistence to speed up the cabinet formation and intensive work is underway to reach the expected results, the speaker reportedly told lawmakers during his weekly meetings with MPs. There is “tangible progress,” he said.

“The atmosphere is better than before,” Berri told reporters before entering the parliament building to hold talks with MPs.

Before his meetings at parliament, Berri held talks with President Michel Suleiman at Baabda palace. The two men discussed the general situation, especially the latest cabinet formation developments.

The speaker left Baabda without making any statement.

On Tuesday, Berri asked all political parties to leave their alliances behind them and create a national front that speeds up the formation of the government.

“The magnitude of the crisis is much smaller than the size of the conflict on the crisis,” he said.

The speaker said that he is working hard to bring back the planning ministry into the government.

“You all know that the obstacle facing the come back of the planning ministry lies in personal interests, he said.

The Lebanese cabinet had become a “shadow government” investing its financial capabilities in favor of political interests instead of sustainable growth, Berri added.

He then stressed on the distinct role that the Lebanese Christians play in maintaining the unity of the land not only in Lebanon but in every Arab country.