Berri during weekly meeting with MPs: Parliament shall witness exhaustive legislative, supervision sessions

NNA - Speaker of the House Nabih Berri pledged during his weekly Wednesday meeting with MPs that the Parliament shall witness a vigorous, intensive legislative and supervision workshop, stressing that he was determined to hold accountable sessions for ministries to make up for the previous disruption phase. On the forthcoming electoral law, Speaker Berri indicated that time is running out, beseeching all political forces to accomplish a new election law as soon as possible. Berri took up with MPs whom he met on Wednesday scores of pressing daily living and social affairs, in addition to stringent services related to citizens, affirming that he shall not be lenient in holding accountability sessions. Berri meetings with lawmakers also dwelt in depth on the outcome of the recent meeting by Information and Communication House Commission, affirming that he shall follow up on the issue of illegal internet case and related dossier till the end. The assembly also dwelt on Beirut's hosting of the Preparatory Committee meetings of the Palestinian National Council at the behest of Speaker Berri, with emphasis that such meetings contribute to the unification of the Palestinian ranks. On the other hand, Berri met this afternoon with British Ambassador to Lebanon, Hugo Shorter, with talks reportedly touching on the political momentum in the country. On emerging, Ambassador Shorter said: ""This was my first meeting with Speaker Berri since the confirmation of the new Cabinet and Prime Minister. It was an excellent opportunity to discuss the political momentum in the country and the hopes that this government can deliver reforms which will boost the economy and provide tangible benefits for the Lebanese people. Parliament has a key role to play, both in scrutinizing and enabling these reforms, and I welcome its reactivation following the election of the President and appointment of the Prime Minister." Shorter added: "We also discussed the upcoming long awaited parliamentary elections. Whichever law they are held under, I hope that key technical reforms such as pre-printed ballot papers will be implemented to ensure modern, transparent elections. I also hope to see concrete measures to increase women's participation in parliament, and I welcome Speaker Berri's calls for a women's quota in this regard. But I should stress that this does not apply to parliament alone, and I hope and expect that we will see more women in the next cabinet too." Shorter concluded: "As the UK, we stand ready to continue delivering much-needed assistance which has already benefitted Lebanese up and down the country." On the other hand, Berri received a congratulatory cable on the New Year from the Algerian National Popular Council Head Mohammed Weld Khalifa. =================== L.Y