Christian Reservations over Berri”s Re-Election, Massive Support for Hariri”s Premiership
With Speaker Nabih Berri the only candidate for the position, it will remain to be seen how the various parliamentary blocs will deal with his nomination. Meanwhile, support for MP Saad Hariri”s premiership is reportedly rising.
The daily As Safir on Wednesday said, however, Berri was comfortable since he is certain he will win another term in office with a 70-vote majority (57 from the opposition, 11 from Walid Jumblat”s Democratic Gathering bloc, two from Najib Miqati”s and Michel Murr”s bloc).
And if MPs Mohammed Safadi, Qassem Abdel Aziz, Michel Faraon and Nicola Fattoush cast their ballots in favor of Berri, then the votes would rise to 74.
Those bluntly objecting to Berri”s reelection are Amin Gemayel”s Phalange Party and the Lebanese Forces of Samir Geagea along with their Christian allies MP Butros Harb and National Liberal Party leader Dori Chamoun.
Votes from Hariri”s parliamentary bloc would ensure Berri”s re-election by nearly 100 votes.
On the premiership issue, the only candidate seemed to be Hariri whose nomination would be confirmed within the coming 48 hours.
As Safir said consultations were near complete with Hariri almost certain to obtain 110 votes and even more, including votes from Berri”s Development, Liberation bloc and Hizbullah”s Loyalty to the Resistance and Change and Reform bloc headed by Gen. Michel Aoun.
On the shape of the new government, the paper said the opposition did not yet reach a final decision with regards to the power-sharing Cabinet, particularly in view of Marada Movement leader Suleiman Franjieh”s insistence that the opposition will not take part in a new government that does not grant it veto power.
The daily pointed to consultations with Riyadh and Damascus which accompanied Hariri”s visit to Saudi Arabia.
Al Akhbar newspaper, for its part, said one thing is certain: The opposition”s decision to take part in the government.