NNA - House Speaker Nabih Berri received today MP Ghassan Skaff at Ain El Tineh Palace, where they discussed the general political developments and field conditions prevailing at this stage. 

In his response to newsmen's questions following the meeting, MP Skaff indicated that Lebanon does not have the luxury of wasting more time as its existence is at stake, adding that "all components of the country must immediately complete the presidential entitlement," noting that "electing a president will strengthen national unity and confuse those who are still betting on undermining the Lebanese formula and the Lebanese entity."

The Speaker also followed up today on the current developments and political and field events during his meeting with MP Ihab Matar, who said after the meeting: "The visit to Speaker Berri is a natural visit within the framework of national unity among the Lebanese, all the Lebanese, in this difficult stage that Lebanon is going through as a result of the Israeli aggression against us all." He considered that the current stage requires the Lebanese to confront the aggression through their national unity and block any attempt to sow discord among the Lebanese.

Matar added: "Our visit is to support the roadmap announced by Prime Minister Najib Mikati from this platform, which includes an immediate ceasefire, implementation of Resolution 1701, and the deployment of the Lebanese Army south of the Litani," noting that "the entire political class is required to rally around this resolution adopted by the state."

He continued to refer to the call to elect a president of the republic, a president of consensus and enjoys the largest possible support, saying "The consensus president is a national, moral and humanitarian need, especially since the crisis of confidence in the country is deep....as the people have no trust in the country, unfortunately, nor does the international community." 

Matar deemed that restoring such confidence is possible through implementing the roadmap in question and reaching an immediate ceasefire, with the international community exerting pressure on Israel to that effect, expressing appreciation to the Arab community for its political and diplomatic efforts to reach a ceasefire.

============R.Sh.