Lebanon’s Political Division: President Berri’s View on the Presidential Battle

Citing a Chinese proverb that says: “What about the second day after the war?” President Nabih Berri gives a picture of the extent of the division in Lebanon.

Many questions surround the session of the current June 14th. The atmosphere is charged and the pace of political escalation is getting fiercer as the date of the session approaches, and the real danger lies in taking the discourse in a sectarian direction at times and treasonous at another.

Will Wednesday’s session have repercussions on the Lebanese street?

“God willing, no,” Berri added: If we assume that Franjieh or Azour won the next session in light of the division and tension taking place, how long will it take us to name a new prime minister, and how much time will we waste to form the government? .

– What is the solution?

He replies: Dialogue must be conducted between all parties for understanding and agreement as minimum as possible.

Will you call for dialogue again?

Bishops Abdel Sater and Ammar, delegated by His Beatitude Patriarch Al-Rahi, asked me the same question, and I said: I called for dialogue twice before announcing my position in support of Franjieh’s candidacy, but when I adopted a candidate, I became a party, and any invitation from me will appear as if I am inviting others to convince them of our candidate. Let His Beatitude call and I am ready to accept the invitation. In any case, His Beatitude returned from Rome and Paris with a similar impression urging the need for dialogue between the Lebanese.

– And what about your meeting with the French ambassador? Has her country’s position changed, as is rumored in the media?

Never never, Speaker Berri denies, then confirms that the five countries that met in Paris to discuss the Lebanese issue want a president and will not interfere more than that, and next week Le Drian will arrive in Beirut and we will hear what he has, knowing that the French position is the same on Franjieh.

As for his friend Walid Jumblatt, Berri smiles when we ask him if the leader of the chosen one turned away from him after the Democratic Gathering bloc’s decision to vote for Azour. He says: Walid and I have been friends for a long time. A date that he did not set for him, and he added, laughing: “This is one of the blessings of Al-Akhbar newspaper on me, and they also covered it with a headline.”

Returning to Wednesday’s session, Speaker Berri confirms proceeding with it and voting for Franjieh, regardless of the results of the first session, and hints that the second session will not take place, because any team feels the danger of losing the quorum, and this is a constitutional right for both of them.

Regarding the reason for his refusal to hold open sessions, he says: “We have a lot of necessary legislation. If we do not hold a legislative session in 400,000 employees, they will not be paid at the end of the month and the country will be sold. Just securing 65 deputies, I will call for the session.”

– Regarding Franjieh’s speech on the anniversary of the Ehden massacre, he alluded to the possibility of his withdrawal from the presidential race, or so understood some of his opponents, so what do you think?

“No, never like this,” Berri comments. Frangieh’s words are clear and good. He continues his candidacy and we continue to support him.

– But, Mr. President, what if Azour scores by a large margin from Franjieh, won’t that affect the fortunes of your ally?

“Not necessarily.” It is true that there may be a moral effect on Franjieh, but that practically does not affect the outcome of the presidential battle.

– Where have you been in counting votes, are you reassured?

“I am not following, we have a work team that takes care of the matter.”

– It is said that the white paper will be a third candidate, so what do you think?

He laughs and answers in English, “who knows!”

– Is there a possibility to postpone the Wednesday session?

The session is held on time, unless His Beatitude the Patriarch requests it to be postponed and the rest of the powers agree to open a space for dialogue, at which point it will be postponed.

The Speaker of the Council did not want to reveal more than that, he seemed displeased with the atmosphere of sharp division in the country, and at the same time he was decisive in his choice and decision to support Franjieh. From Berri’s point of view, the issue is related to the fate and unity of Lebanon, and Suleiman Franjieh represents this patriotic spirit at a time when some forces are striving To impose a divisive fait accompli with different titles and one content: We decide the name of the president, otherwise let us part, and this is an illusion..