Berri says he refused to isolate the LF but Geagea responded with 'ingratitude'

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri was quoted by his visitors as dubbing Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea "ungrateful."

Ad-Diyar newspaper reported Friday that Berri told his visitors that he had refused a dialogue without the LF's attendance.

Berri said he had rejected a proposal by the Free Patriotic Movement leader Jebran Bassil that suggested that dialogue and elections be held even if boycotted by some MPs.

"I rejected that without thinking twice, because it is impossible for me to accept the isolation of any Lebanese component, especially the Lebanese Forces party, which constitutes the largest Christian bloc in parliament," Berri was quoted as saying.

"It is strange that my stance was met with incomprehensible ingratitude," he added.

In a bid to break the presidential impasse, opposition lawmakers started an initiative Tuesday, announcing two suggestions to facilitate the election of a president, including consultations in parliament that would not be chaired by Berri.

Amal MP Qassem Hashem said the shortest way to elect a president is Berri's initiative and that "anything else would be a waste of time."

Geagea later accused Hezbollah and Amal of rejecting dialogue. They "have been calling for dialogue, dialogue, dialogue. Their lying and hypocrisy have become evident to all Lebanese,” he said. "The mask has fallen."