Lebanese Speaker Berri Denounces March 14 Stance on Witnesses Issue

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri denounced March 14 forces' rejection to refer the false witnesses' issue to the Judicial Council which he described as the "highest judicial authority."

Berri told the daily As-Safir from France "Lack of trust harms the image of the judiciary and suggests the use of discretion in dealing with it." 

He said he was concerned over some of the positions of leading figures in the March 14 coalition.
The speaker has said a Cabinet session scheduled for this week should be decisive regarding the issue of false witnesses "as the issue can no longer bear any delay."

In addition, according to An-Nahar, Berri said that during the visit of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to the Presidential Palace, he asked PM Saad Hariri as well as Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar whether they have backed from following the false witnesses' file. Berri said he also asked Hariri why they no longer want to refer the file to the Justice Council. 

On his visit to Syria, Berri said he had asked for an urgent visit following the Syrian-Saudi Summit, noting that he came to know there is no relation between the Lebanese and Iraqi files. 

Berri came back to Lebanon assuring that the Syrian-Saudi relations are good, but also reiterated that the Lebanese are to bear the major responsibility in finding "political required solutions", noting that "The Lebanese should sort their issues and provide a calm atmosphere." 

Moreover, Berri criticized the government as it stands watching the skyrocketing prices of goods in the Lebanese market and the deteriorating economy. 

Berri arrived Monday in Paris on an official two-day visit during which he will hold talks with President Nicolas Sarkozy and a number of top French officials. 

He was welcomed at the airport by French Ambassador to Lebanon Denis Pietton, Lebanese Ambassador to France Boutros Assaker, French Senator Bernadette Dupont, Lebanese embassy staff and a number of Lebanese expatriates.