The media office of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri issued an explanatory statement in response to what some newspapers published today regarding the issue of postponing the parliamentary elections, attributing it to a statement to the Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper.
The media office reported that the Speaker of the House of Representatives’ speech was limited only to describing the atmosphere that took place within the framework of the five-year committee, and did not include any personal opinion or support or rejection of postponing the elections. The statement also confirmed that President Berri did not mention any ambassador, whether from the G5 countries or others.
The clarification confirmed that what was circulated in the media was taken out of its correct context, and what he did not say was blamed, which necessitated issuing this clarification in order to ensure accuracy and to avoid any ambiguity at this sensitive political stage.
The statement said: “In clarification of what was published in the newspapers today about postponing the elections with a statement to Asharq Al-Awsat, what I said is that the atmosphere of the quintet is with the postponement of the elections, and I did not mention any ambassador at all, neither from the quintet nor from others, so clarification is required.”
This clarification comes in the wake of statements made by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper yesterday, where he stated that he had clearly received from the ambassadors of the Five-Year Committee their desire to postpone the parliamentary elections. On the other hand, he confirmed that he informed them of his clear position rejecting any technical postponement or extension of the Parliament, and his insistence on holding it within the constitutional dates.
Berri indicated that he took the initiative to run early for the elections with the aim of blocking any attempt to hold him responsible for the postponement or extension, or to pin this charge on him personally, explaining that this step carries a clear message to those concerned at home and abroad that he will continue this entitlement until the end.
In the same context, he indicated that he directed a number of Amal Movement candidates to submit their nominations, which was what actually happened. He also asked his friend Abbas Fawaz to run for the Shiite seat in the 16th district designated to represent the Lebanese diaspora, within the six seats distributed equally between Christians and Muslims.
Berri stressed that he does not see any justification for postponing constitutional dues, most notably the parliamentary elections, considering that holding them on time constitutes a real test of the extent of the political forces’ commitment to the law and the constitution. He added: “The elections are ongoing, and I am committed to their implementation in accordance with the effective electoral law, and whoever wants to postpone must bear his responsibility and not pass it on to others.”
