Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri’s recent remarks about a “conspiracy” behind the recent resignations from parliament, drew reactions from several political figures that stressed the right of deputies to resign.
During the first parliament session held since the Beirut explosion last week that killed at least 171 people, Berri described the resignation of eight deputies as a “conspiracy.”
The first reaction to his comments came from leader of the Lebanese Forces Samir Geagea who said, “That wasn’t a conspiracy but rather practicing of a natural democratic right.”
He explained that in all cases, “only early parliamentary elections will save us from the current situation.”
At least 171 lives were lost in the explosion on Aug. 4 that ripped through the Lebanese capital after a warehouse with 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate at the Beirut Port caught fire. Some 6,000 people were injured and 300,000 others rendered homeless.
Following the blast, eight MPs submitted their resignations.
One of them, Michel Mouawad, said Thursday, “We are not the ones to be accused of conspiring against state institutions. When did parliament ever hold any government accountable? When did it ask for the resignation of a cabinet for failing to achieve reforms or improve the economy?”
Mouawad said the real conspiracy is having Lebanon dragged into the game of destructive axes.
Elias Hankash, another deputy who has submitted his resignation, said that the Lebanese people have withdrawn their mandate from parliament, which is the institution from where the president, speaker and prime minister are chosen.
