Berri Admits to Using “Legal Tricks” during Previous Government
Speaker Nabih Berri admitted openly to using "legal tricks" to pass bills during the previous government, which he insists on not recognizing its legitimacy since the Shiite ministers pulled out in December of 2007 until its resignation following the election of President Michel Suleiman May 25, 2008.
Berri said in an interview published by the daily Asharq al-Awsat on Monday that after having received the draft laws he would ask MPs from the various blocs to sign them and refer them to Parliament”s Higher Committee for approval.
Regarding the 2006, 2007 and 2008 state budgets, Berri said he had succeeded in finding a different exit where they were merged into the 2009 budget, currently under Parliament examination.
On the international tribunal to try suspects involved in the assassination of ex-PM Rafik Hariri, Berri said there was no need to refer the draft plan to Parliament since it was under U.N. guardianship