Berri from Baabda: Government Formation Process Entered New Phase, Obstacles Can Be Overcome

House Speaker Nabih Berri stated on Wednesday that there are no problems in the government formation process.

He said after his weekly meeting with President Michel Suleiman: “The problem lies in the media, but this does not mean that there are no obstacles and I believe that Prime Minister-designate still has time to tackle these hardships.”

He added that obstacles can be overcome, noting that the government formation process has entered a new phase.

Addressing the uprising in Libya and Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi’s 42-year rule as president, Berri said: “I think some people in Lebanon do not believe that power should change.”

“Let the law and constitution be applied and let’s all respect them. Once this is achieved, then I don’t think there will be any problems in Lebanon,” the speaker stressed.

“The most important development that took place during this stage is the anti-sectarianism youth demonstration, which I believe will determine Lebanon’s future,” Berri added.

Earlier on Wednesday, he had reassured the Lebanese that the cabinet formation process was still within the normal timeframe, saying previous prime minister-designates took around six months to form a government.

In remarks to An Nahar and As Safir dailies, Berri said: “The time (Najib Miqati) is taking in forming the cabinet is still within the normal and natural limit.”

He blamed the March 14 forces for the time wasted on the government formation process since Miqati’s nomination a month ago.

But he said that following the coalition’s rejection to participate, Miqati’s efforts to form the cabinet are now "within the natural stage of give-and-take.”