Geagea Ready to Meet Nasrallah, Asks Berri for Guarantees
Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea said LF MPs will put empty papers in the ballot box if Speaker Nabih Berri rejects giving guarantees not to obstruct parliamentary work again.
LF lawmakers will vote with an empty paper "if Speaker Berri continues to refuse giving the required guarantees not to close parliament (doors) again," Geagea told As Safir daily in remarks published Monday.
"We ask for a clear official guarantee," Geagea said about Berri”s possible reelection as parliament speaker, adding that the Lebanese voted for the LF based on a political platform that includes among others rejection to obstruct parliamentary work under any circumstances.
"How can we elect him without a convincing vision on his performance in the next four years?" Geagea wondered, urging Berri to be neutral like President Michel Suleiman.
About inconsistence between his stance and that of his March 14 allies MPs Saad Hariri and Walid Jumblat, Geagea told As Safir: "Al-Mustaqbal movement hasn”t adopted a final stance yet … As for MP Jumblat”s stance, it comes as part of his efforts to consolidate calm after the June 7" elections.
On last week”s meeting between Jumblat and Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Geagea said he was not worried, adding that Jumblat was still a member of the March 14 alliance.
The LF chief also expressed readiness to meet with Nasrallah and all Christian and non-Christian leaders as part of his stance to extend hands after the elections.
On representation in cabinet, Geaega said that he agreed to abide by Free Patriotic Movement leader Gen. Michel Aoun”s demand for proportional representation based on the number of Christian MPs that Aoun and March 14 forces got.
According to the LF leader, this means that the majority”s Christians would get 60% of representation in cabinet while Aoun will get 40%.