Berri Denies Lack of Enthusiasm on Legislative Session as Officers' Promotion Gathers Steam

Speaker Nabih Berri has denied that he was no longer eager to call for an extraordinary legislative session amid reports that the parliament would convene to approve the promotion of army officers.

“This is not true. I haven't made any such statement in the past days,” Berri, whose remarks were published in local dailies on Wednesday, said about the extraordinary session.

When told by his visitors that it was time for him to make an initiative to resolve the paralysis of the cabinet and the parliament, Berri said: “I have tried to do so many times.”

“I have told the people to calm down and I say the same thing again,” he added.

The speaker, who heads the Amal Movement, said: “The Lebanese residing (in Lebanon) are bringing harm to their country unlike expatriates who are devoting themselves to back their country and strengthen it.”

Berri's lack of enthusiasm on an initiative prompted Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq to urge him to play the role of the “maestro” in a dialogue that brings the rival parties together.

He warned in remarks to al-Liwaa newspaper that the country's different sectors would collapse successively if no solution was taken.

Al-Mashnouq is making an initiative for the promotion of 12 army officers from brigadier-general to the rank of major-general, which leaves Commando Regiment chief Brig. Gen. Chamel Roukoz in the military for another year.

Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun will likely approve the initiative as an exit for the current crisis, sources told An Nahar daily.

Roukoz is the son-in-law of Aoun, who wants him to become military commander.

According to An Nahar, the FPM is discussing with the Lebanese Forces ways to attend the legislative session and approve the draft-law on the promotion of the officers.

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