Berri sets parliamentary legislative session for Aug. 17

BEIRUT — On Thursday, Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri scheduled a parliamentary legislative session for Thursday, Aug. 17 at 11 a.m. to discuss bills and proposals, though the exact agenda has yet to be announced.

At the beginning of August — one day after a press conference by Banque du Liban (BDL) first deputy governor Wassim Mansouri, a Shiite close to Berri — caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati stated that it was up to Parliament to draft a bill allowing the government to borrow foreign currency from the BDL in order to finance civil servants' salaries.

In response, Berri stated a few days later that it was up to the government, if it wishes to borrow from the BDL, to explain its reasons in a bill.

More than ever before, the BDL is at the heart of a political tug-of-war between the Berri and Mikati, who are managing the country alone without a president.

Several Christian parliamentary groups could boycott the parliamentary session, as they have done before to signal their dissatisfaction with legislating during the presidential vacancy.