In an interview with the ‘Asharq Al-Awsat’ newspaper, Nabih Berri emphasized the importance of holding parliamentary elections as scheduled.
He stated, “Michel Aoun,” the US Ambassador to Lebanon, asked me to postpone the parliamentary elections, but I declined. I also informed other ambassadors from the member countries of the Quintet Committee that I do not want the elections delayed for technical reasons or an extension of the parliamentary term.Berri added, “I was the first to announce my candidacy for the elections to prevent anyone from blaming me for the delay due to technical or parliamentary reasons. I want to convey the message to all parties, both domestic and international, that I am committed to holding the elections until the very last moment. I have also urged several members of the Amal Movement to declare their candidacies.”
The Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament further asserted that, in his view, there is no justification for delaying the elections or for failing to meet constitutional requirements. He stated that anyone seeking to postpone the elections must take responsibility for that decision.Regarding the ongoing Israeli aggressions against Lebanon, he remarked, “This is a new war aimed at pressuring Lebanon to submit to Tel Aviv’s conditions, complicating matters for the Mechanism Committee as monitors of the ceasefire agreement. Lebanon has adhered to this agreement, but Israel has not since its implementation.”
Recently, the Lebanese newspaper ‘Al-Akhbar’ reported that for the first time, France and Saudi Arabia have requested that Joseph Aoun, the President of Lebanon, and Nabih Berri, the Speaker of Parliament, extend the current parliament and postpone elections by at least a year.According to the report this issue arose after Prime Minister Nawaf Salam returned from his latest trip to France and discussions with Saudi officials where he was asked to delay the elections for a year during which he would remain in office.
The first parliamentary elections in Lebanon after the Israeli regime’s war against the country are scheduled for May 10 2024. However a recent visitor to the presidential palace claimed that Joseph Aoun received a message from France indicating that the current conditions are not suitable for any significant changes and the continuation of Nawaf Salam’s government would aid in completing the reform process and the disarmament plan for Hezbollah.
In this context a prominent Lebanese minister also mentioned that Nabih Berri received a direct request from Saudi Arabia to extend the current government for at least another year.
