Lebanon’s Berri: 'Internal' Hurdles Are Obstructing Govt Formation

File photo. Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri during a visit to Lebanon's President (NNA)
File photo. Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri during a visit to Lebanon's President (NNA)
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Lebanon’s Berri: 'Internal' Hurdles Are Obstructing Govt Formation

File photo. Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri during a visit to Lebanon's President (NNA)
File photo. Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri during a visit to Lebanon's President (NNA)

Lebanon's parliament speaker Nabih Berri broke his silence Monday by indirectly holding President Michel Aoun responsible for the delay in forming a new government by demanding a blocking third.

"Following the incidents in Tripoli and the statement of the spiritual leaders who called to rescue the country and the Lebanese starting with the formation of a government of specialists, we are keen to clarify to the public opinion that the obstacle to forming a government is not external but internal," Berri said in a statement.

Within this context, he underlined that nobody was entitled to the "blocking third."

The speaker stressed that he would not lose hope and that he would continue his government formation efforts.

Aoun’s media office was quick to respond to Berri’s statements, denying the accusations.

“Political and media sources insist on promoting that the President is demanding the “blocking third” in the upcoming government, which led to delaying its formation, despite the statements and stances which confirm the invalidity of such allegations, which were issued by the Presidential Palace on different dates, last of which was on the 22nd of last January.”

The office also said that Aoun, who had never asked for the blocking third, is keen to exercise his constitutional rights in naming Ministers of the Government who are skilled and competent.



Report: Syrian Ambassador to Moscow Requests Asylum in Russia

Syrian ambassador to the UN and head of the government delegation Bashar al-Jaafari gestures as he holds a press conference during the Syria peace talks in Geneva on January 31, 2016. (AFP)
Syrian ambassador to the UN and head of the government delegation Bashar al-Jaafari gestures as he holds a press conference during the Syria peace talks in Geneva on January 31, 2016. (AFP)
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Report: Syrian Ambassador to Moscow Requests Asylum in Russia

Syrian ambassador to the UN and head of the government delegation Bashar al-Jaafari gestures as he holds a press conference during the Syria peace talks in Geneva on January 31, 2016. (AFP)
Syrian ambassador to the UN and head of the government delegation Bashar al-Jaafari gestures as he holds a press conference during the Syria peace talks in Geneva on January 31, 2016. (AFP)

Syria's ambassador to Moscow has requested asylum in Russia, state news agency TASS reported on Monday, citing a source.

The Russian news outlet provided no further details on the reported request by Bashar Jaafari, who was appointed ambassador to Russia in 2022 after 15 years as Syria's permanent representative to the United Nations.

Reuters was not able to immediately contact Jaafari, 69. Syria's embassy in Moscow did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Russian President Vladimir Putin granted asylum to former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad when he fled to Moscow with his family after being toppled by a lightning opposition offensive at the end of last year.

Syria's foreign ministry last week recalled Jaafari to Damascus, state media reported, saying the move was part of a reorganization of the diplomatic corps after Assad's fall.

Jaafari had been one of the most well-known international representatives of the former regime. He had been vocal in his defense of the Syrian government during the country's 14-year civil war, including his denial it had carried out chemical weapons attacks.

Moscow has supported Damascus since the early days of the Cold War, recognizing its independence in 1944 as Syria sought to throw off French colonial rule.

Syria is also home to two important Russian military bases - the Hmeimim airbase in Latakia province and a naval facility at Tartous on the coast. Russia is seeking to retain control of these as it builds ties with the country's new leadership.