Nabih Berri, Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament

Beirut- Lebanese Speaker of the Parliament, Nabih Berri, ruled out the possibility of any positive developments on the suit of presidency, despite the presence of two prime candidates for the elections.

Berri, in declarations made to Asharq Al-Awsat, considered that the suit on Lebanese presidential elections is short to being “frozen” in the meantime. Especially after the latest announcement of the head of the Lebanese Forces, Samir Geagea, naming the Free Patriotic Movement’s founder Michel Aoun for presidency, after the former Lebanese Prime Minister, Saad Al-Hariri, who also is a major role player in the March 14 coalition, had named Suleiman Frangieh for candidacy.

On the case of regional developments, especially those evolving in Syria, Berri refused to link them to the Lebanese presidency file.

Speaker of Parliament Berri answered those who considered Frangieh’s candidacy as set on behalf of the Muslims of Lebanon, saying that such assumptions are not valid and completely driven out of context.

The Muslims of Lebanon were faced with a specific bracket comprising four Christian representative candidates to choose from, that which conflicts with the bases of democracy and the role of Parliament, Berri explained.

Parliament is supposed to function via deputies attending a session in which they elect a president. However, Berri’s proclamations referred to the fact that the Lebanese presidential candidacy already had to function within the limits subjected by the four deep-seated Maronite party leaders.

When the question of the presidential elections being strung out on the assemblage Hezbollah was looking for to proceed, Berri stated that Hezbollah’s Secretary General, Hassan Nasrallah, has abandoned the initiative in whole. Nonetheless, Berri said that he is still within its frame of work, and will continue to present it at the sessions for discussions. He also pointed out that he is working hard to put governmental work into effect for its re-launch.

In the ball park, Berri was astounded at the paradigmatic campaign being carried out suggesting that Amal Movement, which he heads, is a tool in the hands of Hezbollah, which in turn is using it to cover their disinclination for Aoun running for President.

After Geagea’s withdrawal to his arch enemy Aoun, Berri’s cynicism pointed out that Geagea, residing now in his HQ in the mountainous town of Merab, would be enjoying the show, after he rendered inept to proceed with his habit of attacking Aoun.