Berri: Any proposal that offers less than the 1960 electoral law is rejected

Source: NowLebanon, 19-03-2008
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri commented on the possibility of PM Fouad Seniora deciding to restore the cabinet by appointing new ministers to replace slain Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel and resigned Minister Yaacoub Sarraf. "Seniora's government is illegal and illegitimate. Thus, any decision it makes, whether over restoring the government or anything else, is illegitimate," Berri said.
Berri told the Lebanese daily As-Safir that he is waiting for the outcome of the Arab Summit on what to do in Lebanon to resolve the crisis. "Given the present situation, I don't expect any positive things," Berri added.
He said that based on the results of the summit, he will start a movement in a different direction in order to reach a solution.
Berri also said that all Arabs are responsible for helping solve the situation in Lebanon and noted that an improvement in inter-Arab relations will ameliorate the tensions in Lebanon and remove it from the danger zone. "I have informed the Arab Parliament delegation about the need to strengthen Saudi-Syrian relations," Berri said.
He also noted the role that Egypt can play in opening a new path between Damascus and Riyadh.
"Lebanon is in danger, and the Arab initiative is still the key to a solution. The Arabs must save their initiative, and as soon as they agree, the Lebanese will reach an agreement," he added.
Berri also called for not losing hope over the seventeenth attempt at holding a presidential-election session on March 25.
He also said that the opposition will not accept trading the electoral law for the establishment of a national-unity government. "We reject any suggestion that offers less than the 1960 electoral law," Berri said.