Berri Says January Decisive on Tribunal, Describes Situation as Smelly Swamp Water

Speaker Nabih Berri described the country's political situation as "worn-out" but said January will be decisive on the crisis over the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.

"January is the month of decisiveness on the crisis over the international tribunal," Berri told An Nahar and As Safir newspapers in remarks published Monday.

The speaker hoped bickering parties would achieve a settlement on the issue.

"As usual I am optimistic and the New Year won't be worse than its predecessor," he said although he described the political situation as "worn-out."

Berri also described the deadlock as "stagnant water in a swap" that "smells bad."

On the security situation in the country, Berri said he was comfortable at it, adding it was "acceptable."

"Security stability should be complementary to the political agreement," he told the newspapers.

He expected parliament to meet this month after the finance and budget committee completes discussion of several draft laws referred to it.

When asked about Labor Minister Butros Harb's draft-law that prevents the sale of property between Christians and Muslims for a period of 15 years, Berri said: "It is the first sign of rejection to form the Higher National Authority for the Abolishment of Political Sectarianism."

He said overprotection of confessions is leading to the rejection of the other.