Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri expressed to his visitors his concern over the repeated violent incidents in different parts of Beirut.

He also warned of being dragged into civil unrest, as the upsets can only have a negative impact on Lebanon.

“Let no one think of causing problems on the street, because if this happens, no one will win,” Berri told the Lebanese daily An-Nahar while recalling the 1975-1990 Lebanese civil war.

Commenting on Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa’s return to Beirut, Berri said he heard no objections to the 10-10-10 power-sharing formula that Moussa proposed as part of the Arab initiative.

“This formula is the result of the Arab initiative and is still applicable. The Arab League stressed on rejecting giving any party the ability to obstruct or monopolize decisions,” Berri said.

He also noted that all Lebanese factions welcomed this suggestion, and the opposition discussed it with Moussa during their last meeting.

“I informed Moussa that I am willing to support this suggestion and go to the parliament to elect a new president,” Berri said.

“None of the Arab and foreign diplomats and envoys I have met with have expressed their objection to the 10-10-10 formula,” he added.

Berri told the Lebanese daily that so far, the names of the coming ministers have not been discussed.

“The crisis is political, not security-related. Yet there is hope. I am in contact with Moussa in order to prepare for the coming four-party meeting set for February 24 in the hope of electing a new president on February 26,” he said.

He also noted that contacts with Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Abdul Aziz Khoja are still on.

-NOW Staff