BEIRUT (AP) – Current Parliament speaker Nabih Berri is urging his colleagues to form a new government quickly, following general elections held last week. Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri says Lebanon cannot tolerate any delays because of growing regional tensions and a struggling economy. Parliament Speake Nabih Berri has held the post for more than 25 years, and is expected to be re-elected when the new parliament convenes later this month. Berri spoke to The Associated Press in an interview in Beirut Friday, a few days after Lebanon held its first parliament elections in nine years. In the vote, Berri’s Amal group and its allies including Hezbollah won more than a third of the seats, giving them the power to veto any legislation. Berri called for a unity government that includes all Lebanese factions.

Berri to be elected Speaker once again

by annahar — Speaker Nabih Berri, who’s headed Lebanon’s Parliament since 1992, is expected to be sworn in once again on May 22 before the deputy speaker and Parliament Secretariat are elected. The Secretariat would be comprised of a President, Vice President, two secretaries and three commissioners. The Parliament will meet under the presidency of the oldest member, and the two youngest members will serve as secretaries. The President and the Vice President are elected by secret ballot after gaining an absolute majority of votes. If a third ballot is required, a relative majority would be sufficient. Should the votes be equal, the oldest candidate would be considered elected. The Chamber will also elect two Secretaries by secret ballot according to the majority stipulated in the first part of Article 44 of the constitution.