Lebanon's Speaker of Parliament, Nabih Berri. (Credit: AFP/File photo)
BEIRUT — Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri reiterated his call for a dialogue between all political forces in Lebanon, including the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) and the Lebanese Forces (LF), to break the deadlock in the presidential election.
Lebanon has been without a president since Oct. 31, 2022, when Michel Aoun's mandate ended.
In an interview with the Lebanese daily al-Liwa' that was published Monday, Berri said he would not interfere in the prayer invitation of Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai. The patriarch invited all 64 Christian MPs to a 'day of prayer' and possibly discussion of the presidential vacancy.
"I have called twice ... for a dialogue between the Christian forces," Berri said. "But the main Maronite blocs, namely the FPM and the LF, have declined the dialogue, knowing that consultations must be concentrated between these two formations ... Without dialogue, there will be more paralysis in the country."
Berri's statements come after Rai invited the 64 Christian MPs to a spiritual retreat held in Harissa, Kesrouan, on April 5. If this invitation is officially envisaged from a spiritual point of view during the week of Good Friday, "it also aims to raise awareness [of the Christian deputies'] role in the presidential election," Father Bassam Rai, close to the head of the Maronite Church, had told L'Orient-Le Jour.
'I will not interfere'
"I read that it was a spiritual meeting," Berri told al-Liwa'. "So I will not interfere."
"Anyway, I heard that the Christian blocs are still studying this invitation, except for the Kataeb and the Renewal bloc" of MP Michel Moawad, Berri added. "The LF could reject it."
However, LF's leader Samir Geagea confirmed on Monday afternoon that his party's MPs will attend the meeting.
Gebran Bassil's FPM and Sami Gemayel's Kataeb parties also confirmed their attendance, as well as the Renewal bloc of presidential candidate Michel Moawad, who will be represented by MP Adib Abdel Massih.
'For now, there is only one candidate'
Asked about how to "unblock" the presidential election deadlock, Berri said he was "waiting for the announcement of the official candidacies for the presidency."
"For now, there is only one [official] candidate: Michel Moawad," he added "When the candidacies are complete, I will call for a Parliament session and may the best win."
Berri previously gave his endorsement to Marada Movement leader Sleiman Frangieh, who has not yet formalized his candidacy. Frangieh is officially backed by Hezbollah and Berri's Amal Movement.
Known for his closeness to the Syrian regime, Frangieh does not enjoy the support of the main Christian parties, namely the LF and the FPM. Opposition groups, some of which are close to Saudi Arabia, support Moawad, while others say they are open to compromise candidates.
Lebanese Army commander-in-chief, General Joseph Aoun, is also considered an unofficial candidate for president. FPM's Bassil objects to all three names.
"They can't make us believe that they support the candidate they voted for in the previous sessions," said Mohammad Raad, Hezbollah's parliamentary group leader, referring to Michel Moawad's candidacy in remarks made at a political meeting in Sarafand, South Lebanon.
"The solution cannot come from abroad, but only from within," he added.
