Berri: Expats who wish to participate in elections 'can come and vote in Lebanon'

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has reassured that the parliamentary elections will take place on time but only in Lebanon, in defiance to sixty-five MPs from the parliamentary majority who want to amend the electoral law to include voting from outside Lebanon.

Hezbollah and Amal argue that they do not enjoy the same campaigning freedom that other parties enjoy abroad and are objecting the amendment of the current law, which only allows expats to vote for six newly-introduced seats in parliament.

"We already have an electoral law in effect and the voting will be held according to that law," Berri told al-Joumhouria newspaper, in remarks published Thursday. "Those who wish to participate in the elections will have to come to Lebanon and vote in Lebanon."

On another note, Berri said he is not worried about an escalation in Lebanon following the Gaza ceasefire.