Berri stresses need for president before region map 'redrawn'

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has underlined his refusal to invite MPs to a presidential dialogue boycotted by a significant number of lawmakers.

In remarks to Asharq al-Awsat newspaper, Berri added that he is seeking an “inclusive dialogue amid the extraordinary circumstances that Lebanon is going through,” noting that his call for dialogue is “not aimed at defeating or isolating a certain party.”

“Enough with the segregation and disintegration. There are no choices before us other than consultations or dialogue, and only then we would be able to end the presidential vacuum within 10 days,” Berri went on to say.

He also warned that “there is a dire need to elect a president so that he leads the Lebanese delegation to the negotiations should there be a decision to redraw a new political map for the Middle East region.”