Berri praises Aoun's 'truly independent speech'

BEIRUT — Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri described President Joseph Aoun's address on the occasion of the 82nd anniversary of Lebanon's independence as "a truly independent speech, both in its form and content," in a statement made to the pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat on Monday.

Last Friday, Aoun delivered a speech on Independence Day during a tour of southern Lebanon — which comes under Israeli attack daily, despite an ostensible cease-fire in place since last November — in which he proposed a five-point initiative regarding the situation in the country, including “final” negotiations over the border with Israel. The president also emphasized the role and capabilities of the Lebanese Army.

Berri also discussed the visit of his political adviser, MP Ali Hassan Khalil, to Tehran and his meetings with several Iranian officials involved in Lebanese affairs.

He described these meetings as "positive and constructive," stressing that “the parliamentary elections will be held as scheduled and that there is no justification, under current law, to postpone them," as the deadline for expat voter registration expired on Nov. 20.