Re-elected Lebanon's parliamentary speaker, Nabih Berri is pictured as Lebanon's newly elected parliament convenes for the first time to elect a speaker and deputy speaker in Beirut, Lebanon May 31, 2022. (Credit: Mohamed Azakir/Reuters)
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has dismissed 'opposition' MPs' (comprised of the Lebanese Forces and its allies) concerns that the upcoming presidential election session on January 9 might be a "trap," calling their remarks "surprising" in an interview with al-Joumhouria published Tuesday.
Lebanon has been without a president since Michel Aoun's term ended in October 2022. Berri, who had not convened a voting session for more than a year, scheduled the Jan. 9 session in late November amid mounting political and regional turmoil.
Opposition MPs fear that the Amal-Hezbollah political alliance will attempt to push through a candidate aligned with their interests despite the heavy toll the war with Israel has taken on both parties, and particularly Hezbollah.
Berri, however, struck an optimistic tone, telling Al-Joumhouria that he believes the session will be "fruitful." "I set the date for this session more than a month ago to give all political forces time to reach an agreement," he said.