Berri: We Oppose Monopoly of Power, Govt.’s Resignation Expands Parliament’s Authority
Speaker Nabih Berri stressed on Wednesday his ongoing respect for the Taef Accord and parliament’s internal system, stating that his call for a parliament session was constitutional.
He said during a press conference at parliament: “We oppose the monopoly of power and as parliament speaker, I cannot stand idly by as the constitution is being neglected.”
“My call for a session was aimed at protecting Lebanon’s system, especially its monetary system,” he declared.
He slammed accusations that the session was unconstitutional in light of the governmental vacuum, adding: “No one has facilitated the government formation process more than me, just ask Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati.”
Furthermore, Berri said that a number of March 14 figures and blocs had been questioning his failure so far to hold a legislative session.
“Now that I have held a session, where have all these calls disappeared to?” he asked.
The speaker explained that today’s legislative session was aimed at approving draft laws and “preventing the establishment of a masked dictatorship.”
Addressing the accusations that he violated the constitution, he said: “As soon as government resigns, parliament becomes in a constant state of session.”
“Saying that the session is unconstitutional in light of a caretaker government places parliament in the hands of the prime minister-designate and the political forces that appointed him,” he added.
“That means if the March 14 camp wanted us to adopt their approach, Miqati and his camp could take control of the situation in the country and the president can’t do a thing about it,” Berri continued.
“The government’s resignation should expand parliament’s privileges,” he stressed.
“I don’t understand how the number of articles and the constitutionality of the session are connected. It is either constitutional or not,” he said.
“This parliament will remain for the whole of Lebanon,” the speaker concluded.
Earlier on Wednesday, Berri stressed that he would keep calling for parliamentary sessions to discuss 49 items, among which is the renewal of Central Bank governor Riyad Salameh’s mandate.
Berri told his visitors that he would continue to invite to parliamentary sessions until the new government is formed.
“I don’t accept any compromise and I reject to practice a dictatorship,” his visitors quoted him as saying. “This has been my way in parliament since 1992.”
Berri expressed surprise at the announcement of some parties that they would attend Wednesday’s parliamentary session if it had only the renewal of Salameh’s term on its agenda.
The renewal is item number 36 on the agenda.
He reminded his visitors that after the assassination of Premier Rashid Karami, his cabinet was given caretaking tasks and parliament approved 15 laws.
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