Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri at the 11th election session dedicated to the presidential elections, in Beirut, Jan. 19, 2023. (Credit: Ali Fawaz/Lebanese Parliament/Flickr)
BEIRUT — Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri suggested that consensus, like the one reached in order to extend Lebanese Army chief Joseph Aoun's term, could be useful in achieving other goals, such as the election of a president, according to sources within Parliament, cited by L'Orient Today's correspondent Hoda Chedid.
Lebanon has been without a president since Michel Aoun's term in office ended on Oct. 31, 2022. The Lebanese Parliament has held 12 failed parliamentary sessions to elect someone to the vacant position.
Berri expressed disappointment over the lack of unity among parliamentary blocs in previous presidency discussions, stating that such unity could have saved valuable time.
Berri stressed the necessity of consensus for making crucial decisions, highlighting its pivotal role in electing a president and fortifying the nation and its institutions. He underscored that progress is achievable only through a collective agreement among parliamentary groups.
On Tuesday, the caretaker Lebanese government confirmed the extension of army commander Joseph Aoun's term as voted by Parliament last Friday. None of the 18 ministers present opposed the law, which will come into force as soon as it is published in the Official Gazette.
"Over the past week, we have followed the sessions of Parliament, which have confirmed legislative stability," said the caretaker prime minister, referring to Parliament's plenary meetings last Thursday and Friday, in which the term extensions were agreed upon.
"This proved that only the proper functioning of institutions can save the country from [political] one-upmanship," Mikati insisted. "We still insist that the new President of the Republic be elected as soon as possible. Parliament must continue to legislate and the government must be able to continue its work," he concluded.