I Withdraw my Candidacy after I Made the Message Clear
Zahle MP Oqab Saqr said Tuesday that he announced his candidacy for the speaker”s post out of his own convictions and without consulting anyone. However, later made the decision to withdraw his candidacy after delivering his message.
"To those who consider announcing running against Speaker Nabih Berri a challenge: Berri is a king in politics and in managing parliament but he is not a king on an assumed throne," Saqr said during a press conference.
He said he announced his candidacy out of his conviction to work for a free democratic system.
Saqr urged Berri to guarantee that parliament will not be closed.
Al-Liwaa newspaper said Tuesday that Berri”s election for a fifth consecutive term is almost certain amid guarantees that he would get at least 70 votes – 57 from the opposition, 11 from the Democratic Gathering and independent MPs such as Najib Miqati and Michel Murr.