Lebanese are split on speaker of parliament

Concerning political developments in Lebanon, split emerged, in the lines of the Lebanese parliamentarians who oppose Syria, over the nomination of Nabih Berri for the post of the speaker of parliament. Berri has been the head of the legislative establishment since 1992.

It was expected that the new parliament of 128 members would convene a meeting on Wednesday, its first session to elect a speaker, however, the differences in stances of the allied parties and the complication of the sectarian structure in its lines resulted in postponing debate of this issue.

Berri is supported by the Druze leader Walid Junblat while he is opposed by some Christians. Still, Saad al-Hariri whose lists won the majority of seats has not disclosed his positions over nomination of Berri who is known for his loyalty to Syria.

Former Lebanese Speaker Hussein al-Husseini announced nominating himself as the new speaker of the parliament in its new session that takes off next Tuesday. I will present my nomination in a way that goes with the Lebanese national concordance as I consider the Lebanese interest as the most important," al-Husseini said in a statement.

Both the Shiite Amal Movement and the Hizbullah party support the nomination of Berri for the presidency of the parliament which the Lebanese constitution states to be given to a Muslim Shiite while the prime ministership goes to a Muslim Sunni and the Maronite Christians the presidential post.