Berri: If Hariri Withdraws, Lebanon Will Face Collapse, Security Challenges

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Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri announced Tuesday that he is adhering to nominating Saad Hariri as Prime Minister, expressing his concern over the security situation in the country.

Berri made statements to the Lebanese Annahar that his government formation initiative is still in place, saying that he will not step back until another acceptable initiative is on the table. He said that his adherence to Hariri comes from the fact that he has the support of the people of his sect, Dar Al Fatwah, the former Prime Ministers clubs, and the MPs in parliament consultations.

Berri considered that in exchange for not forming a new Lebanese government, there would be no withdrawal from Hariri.

Berri indicated that Lebanon could not wait for parliamentary elections, even snap parliamentary elections, because they cannot occur before three or four months; the country may witness a complete collapse during that period.

In the same context, he believed that "if Hariri withdraws, it will be a total collapse, and I am concerned of the security point of view."

Berri considered that overthrowing Hariri's government one day, while he was about to enter the White House, was a mistake "Supreme he who does not do an error," refusing to talk about the triad within the government, stressing that no party may obtain an obstructing third.

According to the United Nations, Lebanon is facing several economic crises, as half of the Lebanese live in poverty, while the acute poverty level rose from 8% in 2019 to 23% in 2020. Lebanon is suffering from a stifling crisis due to the high USD exchange rate while the national currency is losing its value.