Nasrallah Reassures Berri over Parliament, Gives Aoun Morale Boost
Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was able to assuage the concerns of his two main allies Speaker Nabih Berri and MP Michel Aoun over parliament”s presidency and electoral nominations in Jezzine, the daily An Nahar reported Sunday.
The three leaders held talks Friday night to discuss parliamentary elections, particulary in Jezzine district.
"Hizbullah proved capable of adjusting disagreements within the ranks of the opposition, especially in light of developments in Jezzine," that showed the extent of divisions in the minority, sources told An Nahar.
They said Nasrallah gave Berri "implicit reassurances" over the latter”s return to parliament after the elections and boosted Aoun”s standing by "not asking him to give up his initial demands in Jezzine."
Friday”s meeting came after Aoun and Berri clashed over forming a united list in the southern district of Jezzine with the former refusing the speaker”s nominee Samir Azar. Aoun then announced his intention to run in "honest competition" against Berri in the district.
The talks "resembled a positive and much needed shock," that helped bridge the gap between Berri and Aoun, the sources added.
Aoun and Berri agreed to form two separate and closed lists and promised to engage in a "civilized and democratic" electoral battle in Jezzine.