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PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

Berri: I'll call a Parliament session if there are two or more 'serious candidates'

Berri: I'll call a Parliament session if there are two or more 'serious candidates'

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri during a parliamentary session dedicated to the election of a president of Lebanon. (Credit: Lebanese Parliament)

BEIRUT — Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said on Thursday he would schedule a presidential election parliamentary session if two or more "serious candidates" for the role are announced.

In a statement issued by his office, Berri said that "the doors of Parliament were not and won't be locked in front of a presidential election session if at least two serious candidates are announced for the presidency."

"Any comment that contradicts this statement is an interference or a threat," the statement adds. 

The parties opposed to the candidacy of Sleiman Frangieh — who is supported by Amal and Hezbollah — indicated this week that they have reached an agreement on an alternative candidate.

On Wednesday, Lebanese Forces (LF) leader Samir Geagea reaffirmed that the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), led by his political rival Gebran Bassil, has told opposition forces of its commitment to supporting the candidacy of former Finance Minister and current head of the Middle East and Central Asia Department of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Jihad Azour in Lebanon's presidential election.

Berri's statement follows remarks by Geagea on Wednesday in which he said, "Whether there is a clear opposition candidate or not, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri will not call Parliament to an election session." According to the LF leader, Berri will do so "in only one case: when the moumanaa candidate, Sleiman Frangieh, receives 65 votes." That number is the simple majority needed to be elected in a second-round vote for president in Lebanon's Parliament.


BEIRUT — Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said on Thursday he would schedule a presidential election parliamentary session if two or more "serious candidates" for the role are announced.In a statement issued by his office, Berri said that "the doors of Parliament were not and won't be locked in front of a presidential election session if at least two serious candidates are announced for the...