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LEBANESE OPPOSITION MPS SPURN INVITATIONS TO PARLIAMENT
NowLebanon
Nov 20 2012
Lebanese opposition MPs criticized Speaker Nabih Berri's repeated
calls to hold an extraordinary parliamentary sessions despite March
14s decision to boycott all legislative activities.
In remarks published on Tuesday by As-Sharq al-Awsat, Future bloc MP
Ahmad Fatfat said that Berri's attempt to force the opposition March
14 coalition to accept a compromise with the government were doomed
to fail.
"Berri's attempts will go to waste, and he will not succeed in forcing
us to accept a compromise or do what we already object to."
"Let us be clear: We are boycotting all meetings that include the
government. However, we have no problems with the remaining Lebanese
factions."
The opposition lawmaker added that Berri "and his team" were trying
to provoke March 14 into backtracking on their earlier decisions.
Last week, Berri called on the legislature to convene on November 27
amid March 14's boycott of the body.
His invitation was prompted by the scheduled visit of Armenian
President Serge Sarkisian, who is set to deliver a speech in front
of Lebanese lawmakers.
Earlier in the week, local newspapers reported that Berri also called
for a parliament meeting to condemn the ongoing Israeli attack on
the Palestinians in Gaza.
Lebanese Forces MP Antoine Zahra also dismissed Berri's invitations,
arguing that "welcoming the Armenian president could take place at
the Baabda Presidential Palace instead," An-Nahar reported.
Future bloc MP Khodr Habib told Voice of Lebanon (93.3) radio
station that by inviting all Lebanese lawmakers to attend the
Armenian president's speech, the speaker was "trying to outsmart
[the opposition]."
He also attacked Berri for calling a parliamentary session to condemn
the violence in Gaza.
"March 14 has always been among the first to show support for Gaza,
but why doesn't Berri call for a session in solidarity with the Syrian
people?" the lawmaker inquired.
The controversy surrounding the parliament's activities was sparked
by the opposition March 14 coalition's decision in late October to cut
all ties with the government, including meetings held by parliamentary
committees to discuss proposals transferred by the cabinet.
Their position was taken after the assassination of Internal Security
Forces intelligence chief Wissam al-Hassan on October 19, which
the opposition coalition blamed on the Syrian regime and its allies
in Lebanon.
Berri is the leader of the Amal Movement, which is a main pillar of
the pro-Syrian regim March 8 coalition.
-NOW Lebanon
http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=458726
NowLebanon
Nov 20 2012
Lebanese opposition MPs criticized Speaker Nabih Berri's repeated
calls to hold an extraordinary parliamentary sessions despite March
14s decision to boycott all legislative activities.
In remarks published on Tuesday by As-Sharq al-Awsat, Future bloc MP
Ahmad Fatfat said that Berri's attempt to force the opposition March
14 coalition to accept a compromise with the government were doomed
to fail.
"Berri's attempts will go to waste, and he will not succeed in forcing
us to accept a compromise or do what we already object to."
"Let us be clear: We are boycotting all meetings that include the
government. However, we have no problems with the remaining Lebanese
factions."
The opposition lawmaker added that Berri "and his team" were trying
to provoke March 14 into backtracking on their earlier decisions.
Last week, Berri called on the legislature to convene on November 27
amid March 14's boycott of the body.
His invitation was prompted by the scheduled visit of Armenian
President Serge Sarkisian, who is set to deliver a speech in front
of Lebanese lawmakers.
Earlier in the week, local newspapers reported that Berri also called
for a parliament meeting to condemn the ongoing Israeli attack on
the Palestinians in Gaza.
Lebanese Forces MP Antoine Zahra also dismissed Berri's invitations,
arguing that "welcoming the Armenian president could take place at
the Baabda Presidential Palace instead," An-Nahar reported.
Future bloc MP Khodr Habib told Voice of Lebanon (93.3) radio
station that by inviting all Lebanese lawmakers to attend the
Armenian president's speech, the speaker was "trying to outsmart
[the opposition]."
He also attacked Berri for calling a parliamentary session to condemn
the violence in Gaza.
"March 14 has always been among the first to show support for Gaza,
but why doesn't Berri call for a session in solidarity with the Syrian
people?" the lawmaker inquired.
The controversy surrounding the parliament's activities was sparked
by the opposition March 14 coalition's decision in late October to cut
all ties with the government, including meetings held by parliamentary
committees to discuss proposals transferred by the cabinet.
Their position was taken after the assassination of Internal Security
Forces intelligence chief Wissam al-Hassan on October 19, which
the opposition coalition blamed on the Syrian regime and its allies
in Lebanon.
Berri is the leader of the Amal Movement, which is a main pillar of
the pro-Syrian regim March 8 coalition.
-NOW Lebanon
http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=458726