Underlining improved ties between rival politicians in the war-torn country, Lebanon's parliament on Thursday elected Nabih Berri as speaker for the coming four years, extending his 17-year leadership of the chamber. Berri, an ally of the military and political movement Hezbollah, stood uncontested for the post, reserved for a Shiite according to a sectarian power-sharing system. Ninety of parliament's 128 members voted for the 71-year old, including the Future Movement of Saad Al-Hariri, one of Berri's main opponents during a crisis that pushed Lebanon to the brink of civil war last year. Hariri's “March 14” coalition won a parliamentary majority in a June 7 election, defeating a rival alliance including Berri's Amal Movement and Hezbollah, which between them dominate Shiite representation in Lebanon. Hariri, 39, is a frontrunner to head the new government. His decision to back Berri is seen as supportive of Lebanon's stability. Since the elections, politicians have been trying to move away from tensions and violence that bedeviled the country in the last four years, including assassinations of several legislators, sectarian street clashes and deep political paralysis. Addressing parliament after his election, Berri called on Lebanon's politicians to seize “the regional and international moment ... to strengthen Lebanon's peace and stability”. “This requires us to facilitate the establishment of a national government,” said Berri, viewed as one of Syria's closest allies in Lebanon. Speaking after a meeting with Berri on Wednesday, Hariri said voting for the Amal leader was a decision that would “strengthen national unity and preserve civil peace”. President Michel Suleiman will hold consultations with parliamentarians on Friday and Saturday to decide on the next prime minister. On Saturday he will designate the candidate with most support. Many of Hariri's allies in the majority coalition have already stated their support for his candidacy. Hezbollah had called for the formation of a national unity government with veto power for the minority alliance after the parliamentary election, though the group has not repeated the demand since the vote.
