Berri: Presidential Elections Not Yet Mature Enough

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri summarized the outcome of his meeting with the ambassadors of the quintet committee yesterday, stating that the presidential elections "are not mature enough yet. There is slow progress. However, they have not matured sufficiently." Berri, who welcomed the quintet members to brief them on the results of their meetings with political parties according to "Al-Akhbar," mentioned that the ambassadors did not ask him to call for an election session, and the meeting focused solely on the topic of dialogue. He noted that he sensed from the ambassadors that "the principle of dialogue is established," adding that he provided them explanations regarding details they inquired about, which were the same as those he had previously shared with the members of the National Moderation Bloc during their visit to him. He added that the committee members did not bring new ideas. They carried the idea of dialogue with them and stated that they had a positive atmosphere regarding it, wanting to obtain clarifications from him about those they had met. American Ambassador Lisa Johnson was absent from the meeting due to travel, and the Chargé d'Affaires attended in her place. Egyptian Ambassador Alaa Moussa confirmed after the visit that the meeting was positive and a new step that can be built upon, indicating that there will be further consultations in the coming days with parliamentary blocs according to "Al-Akhbar."