Bassil denies seeking deal with Berri behind Hezbollah's back

Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil's office said Friday in a statement that a meeting he had with Speaker Nabih Berri was not behind Hezbollah's back.

Al-Jadeed TV had reported Friday that Bassil had tried and failed to make a presidential deal with Berri in a meeting on Tuesday.

It claimed that Bassil had suggested to agree with Berri on a presidential candidate other than Franjieh. Bassil would secure Bkerki's approval and Hezbollah would then back Berri and Bassil's candidate when it will realize that it is impossible for Franjieh to become president.

Berri refused, advising Bassil to discuss the presidential file with Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and to agree with him on the candidate, al-Jadeed said.

"Bassil had informed Hezbollah in advance of the visit's date and objectives," Bassil's office responded.

It added that a report published in al-Akhbar newspaper on Friday is "not accurate."

The report had said that Bassil had contacted the Charge d'Affaires at the Embassy of Lebanon in Qatar, Farah Berri, and asked her to arrange a meeting between him and Berri.

"The meeting was the idea of Berri's daughter (Farah)," Bassil responded.

He added that he did not seek an agreement with the Speaker behind Hezbollah's back as some media outlets said.