The Lebanese Parliament's presidency issued a statement on Wednesday in direct response to a statement published by the Lebanese presidency on Tuesday. The statement emphasized that the necessary mechanism for forming the government depends on the agreement between the President of the Republic and the designated Prime Minister, as they are the only parties involved in the formation process and the issuance of decrees.
The Lebanese Parliament's statement noted, "The decision to appoint a Prime Minister is beyond the President’s control; it originates from the decision of the deputies, i.e., the legislative authority. The designated Prime Minister conducts parliamentary consultations to form the government."
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri stated in the message: "It is my right, at the request of the designated Prime Minister, to try to assist him in any initiative he may reach, especially since the President of the Republic, who has the authority to sign the decree to form the government in agreement with its head, has shown every willingness to do so and has sent several messages in this regard. There have been multiple meetings at the presidential palace, among others, to succeed in what was termed the Berri initiative without my personal attendance, and (the judge was satisfied) as long as the number of ministers increased to 24."
Berri clarified, "As long as the issue of the Interior Ministry is resolved, you insisted on 8 ministers + 2 to be appointed by the President of the Republic, who has no constitutional right to one minister, as he does not participate in voting; how can he have votes indirectly?"
The statement pointed out that: "Everything is paralyzed, the country is collapsing, institutions are eroding, and the people are suffering, while the walls of Constantinople are crumbling amidst the rejection of an initiative that was approved by the West, the East, and all Lebanese parties except yours. You explicitly stated in your message yesterday that you do not want Saad Hariri as Prime Minister."
The statement concluded, "This is not your right, and the decision to appoint him is not yours; the parliamentary council has made its voice heard in response to your message. What is needed is a solution, not delays, and the initiative continues."
