Berri says majority embarrassed him in front of his allies

Source: Hizbollah Site Staff, 15-09-2009

A source as saying that Speaker Nabih Berri said he endured a lot during the previous period, especially after the majority embarrassed him in front of his allies, Al-Akhbar newspaper quoted on Tuesday.

The source said that Berri has accepted the pressures put on the opposition and tried to contain the situation in cooperation with President Michel Sleiman and Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt. However, Hariri disregarded his effort and stopped consulting with Berri, the source said.

He also said that Berri warned against undermining the 15-10-5 cabinet formula - which grants the majority 15 ministers, the opposition 10 and the president five - saying it would further complicate issues, since it would take a long time to reach and approve a new formula.