Berri: New Election Law Opens Door to New Alliances

Al-Manar TV, 23/08/2008

Lebanese parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri said that with the adoption of the new electoral law the Doha settlement would be fully completed, and there would be a chance for new alliances since the electoral law of year 2000 would be eliminated.

Speaking to Lebanese daily As-Safir on Saturday, Berri confirmed that divisions inside the cabinet would paralyze it and would obstruct any solutions and urged the Administration and Justice Committee to speed up its work. Berri also criticized all those who said that national unity cabinet was impossible. He said that Lebanon experienced the national unity cabinet in the past, during the presidency of Amin Gemayel, where unity cabinet was headed by assassinated ex-premier Rachid Karami.

"Some forgot that after exceptional events a national unity cabinet is familiar. Coming out of political and electoral disputes is mandatory to be able to resolve the economic situation and start the state building process," Berri added.

"We will accomplish the electoral law, and the defense strategy will be on the national dialogue table so why to distract the country by concentrating on disputes only," Berri said. "Come out of political divisions and slow down concerning the elections. What is important is somewhere else," he concluded.

Berri also called on the various political leaders to devote themselves to tackling economic issues and improving living conditions.