Berri slams March 14 for boycotting cabinet, parliament

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Lebanon Speaker Nabih Berri criticized the decision of the opposition ( March 14 coalition) to boycott government and parliamentary activities and said this could result in suspension of the upcoming parliamentary plenary session.

“If an essential group did not attend the parliamentary plenary session of November 7, the session will not be held and I will not head it. I have taken similar actions in the past.” Berri told An-Nahar newspaper in a report published on Wednesday.

Berri also voiced surprise at the opposition decision, which included boycotting the meeting of the parliamentary sub-committee tasked with discussing the electoral law for the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Deputy Speaker MP Farid Makari , a key member of March 14 alliance said on Monday that he would not call for a meeting of the parliamentary sub-committee, citing the risk of assassination that “some March 14 MPs” were facing.

On Tuesday, March 14 alliance leaders held a meeting at MP Saad Hariri’s Downtown Beirut residence following which they announced that they are cutting all ties with the government of Prime Minister Najib Mikati .

The meeting was attended by former Lebanese President and Phalange party leader Amine Gemayel, Former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, as well as several MPs and officials.

Siniora reiterated in a statement read after the meeting March 14’s demand for the government’s resignation, emphasizing that the alliance will continue boycotting all governmental activities until the cabinet is toppled.

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