Berri Urges 'those Paralyzing Cabinet Sessions to Cease Obstructing People's Lives'

Speaker Nabih Berri condemned the ongoing paralysis of cabinet, urging those behind it to end their obstructive practices, reported the daily An Nahar on Saturday.

He said in an address to those powers, which he left unnamed: “You should cease such practices that have obstructed the lives of the people and manipulated their future.”

He therefore called on the government and Prime Minister Tammam Salam to “do what is necessary” to tackle the situation.

The speaker explained that he “is raising his voice as it is not logical that the cabinet to be subject to such pressure because all sides will be harmed.”

“Ending the crisis can be achieved through returning to the Constitution,” stressed Berri to An Nahar.

“The cabinet should implement the Constitution over the most minor issue instead of being faced with failure,” he added.

Political disputes have blocked the government from making any major decisions

The cabinet plunged in a crisis when the Free Patriotic Movement insisted that it discusses its decision-making mechanism before any other issue.

It has been holding street protests against what it calls Salam's violation of the Christian president's powers amid a vacuum at Baabda Palace. It is seeking to amend the cabinet's working mechanism and wants to pressure the government to appoint high-ranking military and security officials rather than extending their terms.