عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

Berri: Agreement with ‘Quintet’ Ambassadors on Locally Chosen Lebanese President

Meeting between Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Ambassadors of the Quintet Committee (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Meeting between Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Ambassadors of the Quintet Committee (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT
TT

Berri: Agreement with ‘Quintet’ Ambassadors on Locally Chosen Lebanese President

Meeting between Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Ambassadors of the Quintet Committee (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Meeting between Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Ambassadors of the Quintet Committee (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has confirmed alignment with ambassadors from the Quintet Committee on the presidential election in Lebanon.

Berri emphasized that the Committee, which consists of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, the US, and France, is a supportive group, aiming to facilitate the election without endorsing or vetoing any candidate.

The ambassadors “did not delve into the third presidential option,” revealed Berri to Asharq Al-Awsat.

The Speaker also called for dialogue among parliamentary blocs to swiftly elect a president.

He highlighted the positive nature of his meeting with the ambassadors, emphasizing their support for Lebanon amidst regional challenges.

Berri stressed agreeing with the ambassadors on the need to separate the presidential election from the situation in Gaza and confrontation with Israel in Lebanon’s south.

Lebanon should focus on electing a president promptly, taking advantage of regional developments, insisted Berri.

He rejected any compromise between the southern situation and the presidential election, affirming Lebanon’s commitment to UN Resolution 1701.

There is no obstacle for Committee ambassadors to meet with parliamentary bloc leaders, a Lebanese source, who requested anonymity, told Asharq Al-Awsat.

The source highlighted the importance of dialogue, leaving the communication mechanism to the ambassadors.

On another note, the source emphasized that Saudi Arabia is keen on the presidential election, urging Lebanese MPs to expedite the process and implement necessary reforms to rescue the republic.

The Saudis do not endorse any candidate or impose a veto, the source affirmed.

Saudi Arabia commits to non-interference in naming candidates, leaving the presidential election to Lebanese MPs, they added.

The Kingdom will define its position based on specifications outlined by the Committee, considering the future president and required reforms as essential for Lebanon’s financial and economic recovery.

Most Viewed

 
 
Arab World

Italy Plans to Return Ambassador to Syria to Reflect New Diplomatic Developments, Minister Says

Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks while meeting with members of the G7, on July 11, 2024, during the NATO summit in Washington. (AP)
Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks while meeting with members of the G7, on July 11, 2024, during the NATO summit in Washington. (AP)
TT
TT

Italy Plans to Return Ambassador to Syria to Reflect New Diplomatic Developments, Minister Says

Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks while meeting with members of the G7, on July 11, 2024, during the NATO summit in Washington. (AP)
Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks while meeting with members of the G7, on July 11, 2024, during the NATO summit in Washington. (AP)

Italy plans to send an ambassador back to Syria after a decade-long absence, the country’s foreign minister said, in a diplomatic move that could spark divisions among European Union allies.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, speaking in front of relevant parliamentary committees Thursday, announced Rome’s intention to re-establish diplomatic ties with Syria to prevent Russia from monopolizing diplomatic efforts in the Middle Eastern country.

Moscow is considered a key supporter of Syrian President Bashar Assad, who has remained in power despite widespread Western isolation and civilian casualties since the start of Syria’s civil war in March 2011.

Peaceful protests against the Assad government — part of the so-called “Arab Spring” popular uprisings that spread across some of the Middle East — were met by a brutal crackdown, and the uprising quickly spiraled into a full-blown civil war.

The conflict was further complicated by the intervention of foreign forces on all sides and a rising militancy, first by al-Qaida-linked groups and then the ISIS group until its defeat on the battlefield in 2019.

The war, which has killed nearly half a million people and displaced half the country’s pre-war population of 23 million, is now largely frozen, despite ongoing low-level fighting.

The country is effectively carved up into areas controlled by the Damascus-based government of Assad, various opposition groups and Syrian Kurdish forces.

In the early days of the conflict, many Western and Arab countries cut off relations with Syria, including Italy, which has since managed Syria-related diplomacy through its embassy in Beirut.

However, since Assad has regained control over most of the territory, neighboring Arab countries have gradually restored relations, with the most symbolically significant move coming last year when Syria was re-admitted to the Arab League.

Tajani said Thursday the EU’s policy in Syria should be adapted to the “development of the situation,” adding that Italy has received support from Austria, Croatia, Greece, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Cyprus and Slovakia.

However, the US and allied countries in Europe have largely continued to hold firm in their stance against Assad’s government, due to concerns over human rights violations.