Lebanese Parliament re-elects Nabih Berri as Speaker for a seventh term with 65 votes cast against 23 blank ballots and 40 canceled ballots.

After his reelection, Berri delivered a speech during which he thanked colleagues who opposed his election as speaker, whether by voting with a blank paper or by choosing a name outside the usual context.

“I will respect all of these things and throw every offense behind me,” he stressed.

Regarding the deepening economic crisis which left Lebanese people suffering, Berri said: “We all realize amid these difficult moments that any words that do not address the people’s pain and needs and that any plans, promises, and programs that do not provide solutions to crises are merely words and plans out of context”.

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He urged MPs and parliamentary blocs “to realize the extent of challenges facing them, especially since the weapon of obstruction will only lead to a major crime against the dying nation”.

“We say No to a parliament that deepens division between the Lebanese, “No” to vacuum in any authority, and a bold and unequivocal Yes to the transition from the quota state to the state of citizenship, institutions, and the civil state, he tersely stated.

Lebanese Speaker concluded by assuring the importance of uniting efforts for rejecting any compromise over rights of sovereignty or normalization with the Israeli enemy under any circumstances.

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Meanwhile, MP Elias Bou Saab won the position of deputy parliament speaker with 65 votes.

FPM’s Alain Aoun was elected as Secretary of the Lebanese parliament.