Report: Berri Optimistic over Success of Presidential Initiative

Speaker Nabih Berri is taking a positive approach over the various settlements being proposed to end the political deadlock in Lebanon, reported al-Mustaqbal daily on Monday.

His visitors told the daily that he is “optimistic that the national settlement aimed at ending the presidential vacuum and the election of Marada Movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh will be a success.”

This initiative is being led by Mustaqbal Movement chief MP Saad Hariri as part of a settlement that would end the political deadlock in the country.

Commenting on claims that officials should seek a new candidate if an agreement is not made over Franjieh, the speaker said, according to al-Joumhouria: “Such remarks are not directed against the initiative, but they are meant to persuade parties to elect a president.”

Lebanon has been without a president since may 2014 when the term of Michel Suleiman ended without the election of a successor.

Ongoing disputes between the March 8 and 14 camps over a compromise candidate have thwarted the polls.