Speaker Nabih Berri asserted on Thursday that Lebanon must deal with two essential issues: the formation of a new government and the election of a new president.
Berri explained to his visitors the goals behind the formation of the new government as per the 9-9-6 formula [9 ministers for March 8, 9 ministers for March 14, and 6 centralist ministers].
On another note, Berri warned against strife among the Sunnites and Shiites, adding that strife among Muslims "serve Israel's interests."
He also noted that the presence of Christians in the Middle East" is deeply rooted in history," adding that "the presence of Christians in the Middle East region must be preserved by both Muslims and Christians."
Lebanese leaders as well as the Lebanese people do not wish to wage another civil war in Lebanon, warning against the sharp divisions among politicians.
He urged all concerned leaders to deploy utmost efforts in order to form the new government, adding that he will not tackle the presidential elections before March 25.
Lebanon is in the midst of a political crisis and ministers have so far failed to form a new cabinet.
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced the cabinet's resignation on Friday March 22, after talks deadlocked over the extension of Internal Security Forces chief Major General Ashraf Riffi's mandate and the formation of an Election Supervisory Committee.
On the 6th of April, 2013, Tammam Salam, a Lebanese politician who served in the government of Lebanon as minister of culture from 2008 to 2009, was tasked with forming a new government but has so far failed to do so.
President Michel Sleiman's six-year term ends in May, but there are fears that disputes between the March 8 and 14 alliances would lead to a vacuum in the country's presidency.