Speaker Berri: Lebanon’s Slow Rate in Investigating False Witnesses Led to Syria’s Arrest Warrants

Local Editor

Lebanese Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri referred that Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar was asked to prepare a report over the best technique in dealing with the false witnesses' issue, which he presented 10 days after, yet the issue was not discussed in the ministerial council.

In an interview with As-Safir newspaper, Speaker Berri considered that the unexcused Lebanese slow rate in tackling the false witnesses' issue is the reason behind the Syrian issuance of the arrest warrants.

Berri said, "The Lebanese Judiciary should have moved directly in tackling this issue after what I, President Suleiman, and PM Saad Hariri clearly stated about it". Berri added that if this issue was seriously treated, then the arrest warrants wouldn't have been issued.

Concerning the technique suggested by Minister Najjar in his report, Berri referred that legal aspect are very clear, adding that there is a lawsuit raised against a false witness, which proves that the judiciary is the best authority for solving this issue.

Regarding the Syrian-Saudi negotiations, Berri stressed on its importance, referring that it is still ongoing, expressing that it's a soothing situation where it presents a guarantee that the crisis would not be out of control.

On the local level, Lebanese Speaker stressed that the tensed situation does not help in the ongoing dialogue, adding that all Lebanese sides and parties should listen to each other.

On another hand, in an interview with Al Nahar newspaper, Lebanese Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri announced that he is sure of the relations between Damascus and Riyadh, where if relations stopped between both sides then he will be worried about the situation.