The President of the Parliament Nabih Berri received the Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab in Ain al-Tineh today, Saturday, where Bou Saab informed the President about the results of his foreign visit, in addition to discussing political developments and legislative matters. After the meeting, Bou Saab stated: "It is natural that after my visit to America, France, and Britain, and the meetings that took place, I come to President Berri to brief him on the atmosphere of these meetings and to explain some matters related to the situation in the south and the presidential elections, which we discussed during this visit. However, I will first speak about the dangerous development that occurred today; for the first time we witness an Israeli raid on an area outside the south. This development is grave and should not pass without being addressed and protested against fundamentally because if we continue in this way, developments will become more dangerous and extensive, despite our efforts to ward off the specter of war. The Israeli enemy has no boundaries, especially as it cannot think clearly due to the political and military crisis it is entangled in."
He added: "The second point we talked about with the President is the necessity to revitalize the movement on the topic of electing a president for the republic, as it is the main exit for the political crisis we are currently experiencing. We also discussed the visit of the ambassadors of the quintet committee to the president and the results of the discussions that took place. At the same time, we talked about what we can do to initiate consultations or understandings – call it whatever you want – but there is no solution but to proceed with this matter to reach consecutive sessions in parliament to elect a president for the republic."
He continued: "Because this is the main issue, and it has become increasingly important because we are witnessing a significant overreach by the Prime Minister regarding the powers of the President of the Republic, and what is more dangerous are the powers he has begun to encroach upon, which are the powers of some ministers. I say 'some ministers' because he certainly does not act the same way with all ministers. As I mentioned previously in parliament, I asked him if Minister Zaiter were the Minister of Defense, would you have acted this way with him? And at that time, I knew why I said that. Today we have reached this problem, where the Prime Minister claims he does not seek to take anyone's role, as we heard today, and we believed him. Yet he sends messages to religious authorities to tell them that I am considering your views on some matters while he is considering only secondary issues. However, in fundamental political matters, like the encroachment upon the powers of the President of the Republic and some ministers, he certainly intensifies his assault on such powers."
Bou Saab said: "From here, I would like to say that what he is doing is undermining the Taif Agreement, and he will bear responsibility for this. This is a dangerous precedent; no one has acted as the Prime Minister is acting now. This is a provocation to a large section of the public. I am not speaking from a sectarian or confessional perspective, but I see the reactions. My advice to the Prime Minister is that communicating with religious authorities does not mean he has their approval or cover to act, because even the religious authorities do not accept the actions that have taken place in the government in this manner."
In response to a question about whether he had addressed this issue with President Berri, he answered: "I am here, and I am speaking from Ain al-Tineh. I recorded an objection with President Berri regarding why he and his ministers accepted to be part of this government and for such decisions to be made. I reminded him that this is a caretaker government concerned only with the narrow affairs of business management. However, we are now faced with a broad agenda, and this government said it would not appoint suddenly became one that 'wants to appoint.' So, I had questions and grievances and told President Berri that we hope he can guarantee that, in the absence of a President of the Republic and the encroachment occurring on powers, we want you to work to stop it rather than allowing your ministers to be part of it and vote in favor of it."
When asked, "What is your comment on the Iranian Foreign Minister's visit to Beirut?" he replied: "It is natural for the Iranian Foreign Minister to visit Beirut, just as we see visits from all foreign ministers from all countries concerned with the ongoing crisis and issues, particularly the Gaza war."
The President also received the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, Dr. Wassim Mansouri.
