The Lebanese Forces sharply criticized Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Friday over his recent positions, arguing that "what is permissible for him is not for others" and urging him to "release his frustration by applying the Constitution."

The statement from the LF press office came after reports that Berri "was irritated by the photo of the four [LF] ministers in Maarab." The four ministers in question — appointed by the Lebanese Forces in Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s new government — are Joe Rajji (Foreign Affairs), Joe Saddi (Energy), Joe Issa al-Khoury (Industry) and Kamal Shehadeh (Displaced). They were received Monday in Maarab by LF leader Samir Geagea.

"Berri was not, for example, bothered by the boycott of binding consultations [for government formation] or by the challenge posed to the designated prime minister, forcing him on camera to choose a single candidate for the Finance Ministry, or even by the appointment of four Shiite ministers by the tandem, as if what is permissible for him is not for others," the LF press office denounced.

The parliamentary consultations led by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam for forming the Lebanese government — ultimately announced last Saturday — were boycotted by the Amal Movement and Hezbollah. Berri, who heads Amal, had insisted that Yassine Jaber be given the Finance Ministry, which was ultimately met.

In their statement, the LF also accused the Parliament speaker of obstructing the presidential election process by "shutting down" Parliament. Berri had long made the resumption of parliamentary voting sessions conditional on a dialogue leading to a broad agreement. President Joseph Aoun was finally elected on Jan. 9, following diplomatic pressure from several countries, including France, the United States, and Saudi Arabia.

"The list is long," the LF concluded, "and it is high time for Berri to release his frustration by applying the Constitution—starting with ensuring that the state has the exclusive right to bear arms in Lebanon."

Don Quixote battles

In a statement released later in the evening and carried by local media, Amal’s media office responded: "It seems that the LF’s media department is stuck in battles worthy of Don Quixote [meaning illusory] — just like its leader. And these battles lead nowhere. They believe they are in a position to classify the Lebanese," the statement read. "And since they base their response on 'stories'... it is better not to respond and not to bother them further," it concluded.

Weakened by its latest war with Israel, Hezbollah now faces renewed scrutiny over its weapons. The president had pledged in his inaugural address to address this issue, while the prime minister stated in his first interview after forming his government that "the state must impose its authority over the entire national territory."

Last month, Hezbollah’s new secretary-general, Naim Qassem, said that "plans to address the resistance and its weapons must be discussed within a defense strategy and through dialogue aimed at preserving Lebanon’s strength, sovereignty, and independence." Berri made a similar statement.  

Les FL dénoncent l'attitude de Berry et l'invitent à « se libérer de son agacement en appliquant la Constitution »