BEIRUT: Speaker Nabih Berri Wednesday defended the 95 lawmakers who voted to extend Parliament's mandate by more than two years amid an avalanche of criticism.
“We were always and still are with freedom of the press media and its national role. ... But freedom of the press must not take away [peoples’] dignities,” he stressed during his weekly meeting with lawmakers.
He said the parliamentary extension was the result of the circumstances “that are known to everyone.”
Last week, Parliament approved a law to extend its own mandate by another two years and seven months, after a similar move in 2013, when it renewed its term for 17 months.
Ninety-five of the 97 MPs attending the session voted yes, with the Free Patriotic Movement and Kataeb Party boycotting the vote.
The vote prompted rebukes by a number of local officials including former President Michel Sleiman and Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai, as well at the United States, European Union and United Nations.
The FPM said it plans to file an appeal against the law with the Constitutional Council.
Berri said that efforts were currently focused on electing a new Lebanon president and approval of a new electoral law.
The speaker expressed optimism and said “internal and external signs are encouraging” when asked whether any progress has been made in the presidential election crisis.
Lebanon has been without a head of state since May with lawmakers botching several attempts to elect a new president.
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