REPORT: Berri defers General Authority session due to lack of quorum

House Speaker Nabih Berri deferred on Monday the planned General Authority session until the 16th, 17th, and 18th of July to discuss the scheduled agenda due to lack of quorum.              

Earlier, Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati voiced his support to a parliamentary session that will discuss urgent files instead of an entire scheduled agenda seemingly since the executive power is incomplete as a result of his resignation.                                                       

Following talks with House Speaker Nabih Berri, Mikati called for maintaining balance between the executive and the legislative powers, assuring that Speaker Berri is keen on Lebanon’s interests in light of this critical situation.                                                 

In turn, Future Bloc MP Ahmad Fatfat said that what happened today shows respect to the constitution, stressing that the Future Bloc is not against extending the mandate of Lebanese Armed Forces’ Commander General Jean Kahwagi.                     

As for the Development and Liberation Bloc MP Ghazi Zeaiter, he said that Speaker Berri did not change in his position, adding that disrupting constitutional institutions for factional or sectarian balance is not allowed.                   

For his part, Caretaker Health Minister Ali Hassan Khalil said that no benefit will come from limiting the work of the parliament at a time when the constitution gives it the right to legislate laws.                               

During a press conference held at the parliament, Minister Khalil said that some, including Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, are disregarding the rights of the parliament.       

Minister Khalil reiterated his keenness on the Lebanese state, assuring that "he belongs to a group that paid the price for Lebanon’s independence and freedom".


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