عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

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)
TT
20
TT

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.

Most Viewed

 
Arab World

Macron and Tebboune Announce Return of Normal ‘French-Algerian’ Relations

The Algerian and French presidents in August 2022 (Algerian presidency)
The Algerian and French presidents in August 2022 (Algerian presidency)
TT
20
TT

Macron and Tebboune Announce Return of Normal ‘French-Algerian’ Relations

The Algerian and French presidents in August 2022 (Algerian presidency)
The Algerian and French presidents in August 2022 (Algerian presidency)

French President Emmanuel Macron and his Algerian counterpart, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, on Monday confirmed a normalization of ties after months of strained relations and agreed to reestablish political dialogue and relaunch cooperation on security and migration.
During a phone call, Macron urged Algerian counterpart Abdelmadjid Tebboune to show “mercy and humanity” towards a jailed French-Algerian writer, Boualem Sansal, the Elysee palace said in a statement.
The author was sentenced last Thursday to five years in prison after an interview he gave to a French far-right media outlet was deemed to undermine Algeria's territorial integrity.
Macron “called for a gesture of mercy and humanity towards Mr Boualem Sansal, given the age and state of health of the writer,” the Elysee statement said.
French nationals living in Algeria and who mostly own private companies, are concerned that the diplomatic rift between both countries would affect their businesses.
They hope discussions between French and Algerian high ranking officials would halt the deterioration in bilateral relations.
Michel Bisac, president of the Algerian French Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told the French-language news website Tout sur l'Algérie, that French residents in Algeria working in companies or in the finance and business fields, are “always welcomed by their Algerian partners.”
“The problem is mainly political,” he said in an attempt to minimize the escalated relations between both countries and its impact on jobs, and French investments in Algeria.
Bisac said most French companies have performed well in 2024, but the diplomatic escalation between the two countries has raised concerns.
“French companies in Algeria do not face any retaliatory measures. As for administrative difficulties, especially with regard to imports, they affect all foreign investors, and do not specifically target France,” he added.
Bisac said there is no campaign against France despite the tense relations, affirming that professional ties remain strong, and expatriates continue to work in a stable environment.
But as bilateral relations continue to deteriorate, he said, the economy could be affected, threatening years of Franco-Algerian cooperation.
Meanwhile, the government in Paris is divided on the French-Algerian crisis. French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau vowed a “gradual response” after Algeria refused Paris’ demand to readmit Algerian nationals from France that local authorities have deemed a threat and are seeking to expel.
In return, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot will travel to Algiers on April 11 at the invitation of his Algerian counterpart, Ahmed Attaf, as part of the effort to mend ties between both countries. He is expected to meet with Tebboune.
Recently, Algerians have shown a willingness to dialogue, but the local press has continued its attacks on right-wing French officials, including presidential candidate Bruno Retailleau, who has called for the termination of the 1968 Franco-Algerian immigration agreement.
In return, Algeria's parliament established a commission to draft a law criminalizing French colonial rule, a move deemed “historical” and backed by local lawmakers, historians, and legal experts. Observers expect Algeria to abandon this step when relations between Algiers and Paris return to normal.