Berri Arrives in Doha: Matters Moving in Right Direction, We'll Begin Discussing Portfolios Monday

Speaker Nabih Berri arrived in Qatar Sunday to take part in the 17th Conference of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union which will be held in Doha on Monday and Tuesday.

The house speaker was accompanied by MPs Nicola Fattoush, Michel Moussa and Hagop Pakradounian.

He was welcomed at the airport by Qatari Shoura Council Speaker Mohammed bin Mubarak al-Kholeifi and Lebanese Ambassador to Qatar Hasan Saad.

Berri told the accompanying Lebanese reporters that the anticipated new government will likely emerge within a week.

He reassured that matters were heading in the right direction, adding that issues would become clear on Monday when talks about the distribution of portfolios and the names of ministers begin.

Addressing the March 14 forces position towards the formation of the government, Berri said: "We will see what they will propose, but I believe that Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel's statements on the matter are acceptable."

"Those issuing so-called preliminary positions without taking into consideration the others' preliminary positions, are obstructing Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati's mission," Berri stressed.

Later Sunday, the house speaker held a closed-door meeting with Qatari Premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem al-Thani.

The two discussed "the latest developments in the Arab region," said Lebanon's state-run National News Agency.