Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. (Credi: Illustration by AFP)
BEIRUT — Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri told al-Joumhouria on Wednesday that he hopes the quintet will support Lebanon in achieving its goals in the presidential elections, rather than imposing its will.
The Quintet, comprising the U.S., France, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar, was established to help resolve Lebanon's presidential deadlock, which has persisted since October 2022.
"Lebanon is sovereign and we can agree [among ourselves], and we are not waiting for the quintet or anyone to impose names on us," Berri said.
According to the newspaper, Berri "aimed to prevent any external attempt to impose names for the presidency."
Berri expressed his gratitude for all initiatives that would help Lebanon reach a consensus, but emphasized that "the issue of the presidency is a purely sovereign matter that belongs solely to the Lebanese and is their responsibility," al-Jamhouria added
"Did Berri want to reveal that the five-member committee is trying to impose something on Lebanon that cannot be accepted? If so, what did the quintet propose?" the newspaper asked.
One day after the cease-fire between Lebanon and Israel, brokered by the U.S. and France, went into effect, Berri called for a presidential election session scheduled for Jan. 9. This was the first time in over a year that Berri had called for such a session.