BEIRUT (AFP) — Parliament speaker and key opposition leader Nabih Berri has warned that Lebanon risks sliding into "chaos" if the ruling majority rejects his last-ditch compromise on this month's presidential poll.
"My proposal is the last chance to help resolve the internal (political) crisis. It will help lead to the holding of presidential elections and avoid potential chaos in Lebanon," he told the opposition Al-Akhbar daily.
"I want to hear the other camp declare its unconditional support, without any 'ifs'," Berri said in comments published on Tuesday.
Berri has officially called for a special parliament session on September 25 for MPs to elect a successor to Syrian-backed President Emile Lahoud.
The process has exacerbated Lebanon's political crisis that has split Beirut into pro- and anti-Damascus camps.
On August 31, Berri said his camp was willing to drop a demand for a unity government if both sides agree on a candidate for the presidency. The anti-Syrian majority in parliament has still not answered his offer.
"It is the last thing we can offer to the other camp before the presidential elections," Berri told Al-Akhbar. "I can go back on my proposal, but do they want us all to return to the issue of a national unity government."
Last Wednesday, Christian opposition leader Michel Aoun also warned that Lebanon risks an "explosion" unless the Western-backed ruling majority seeks a compromise on its choice of a president.
Concern of deeper division in Lebanon has increased with rival leaders raising fears of two governments and two presidents, a stark reminder of the chaos toward the end of the country's 1975-1990 civil war
"My proposal is the last chance to help resolve the internal (political) crisis. It will help lead to the holding of presidential elections and avoid potential chaos in Lebanon," he told the opposition Al-Akhbar daily.
"I want to hear the other camp declare its unconditional support, without any 'ifs'," Berri said in comments published on Tuesday.
Berri has officially called for a special parliament session on September 25 for MPs to elect a successor to Syrian-backed President Emile Lahoud.
The process has exacerbated Lebanon's political crisis that has split Beirut into pro- and anti-Damascus camps.
On August 31, Berri said his camp was willing to drop a demand for a unity government if both sides agree on a candidate for the presidency. The anti-Syrian majority in parliament has still not answered his offer.
"It is the last thing we can offer to the other camp before the presidential elections," Berri told Al-Akhbar. "I can go back on my proposal, but do they want us all to return to the issue of a national unity government."
Last Wednesday, Christian opposition leader Michel Aoun also warned that Lebanon risks an "explosion" unless the Western-backed ruling majority seeks a compromise on its choice of a president.
Concern of deeper division in Lebanon has increased with rival leaders raising fears of two governments and two presidents, a stark reminder of the chaos toward the end of the country's 1975-1990 civil war
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