Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said Wednesday that the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit cannot be held without Syria's participation
BEIRUT (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 09th January, 2019) Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said Wednesday that the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit cannot be held without Syria's participation."The economic summit must not be held without Syria," Member of Lebanese Parliament Abdel Rahim Mourad said, citing Berri, as quoted by the LBC broadcaster.
Earlier in the day, Ali Bazzi, a member of the Lebanese Parliament, said that Berri suggested to postpone the upcoming summit, as it could be ineffective amid the absence of a government in Lebanon.
Lebanon will host the summit on January 19-20. Its foreign minister has reportedly been lobbying among member states to invite Syria back after its membership was suspended in 2011, but the final decision was put off until the next meeting in Tunisia.
The political crisis in Lebanon has continued since May. The country's ruling parties cannot form a government, accusing each other of putting their own interests above those of the state. In addition, the economic situation continues to deteriorate. There is a strong rise in unemployment and prices against the backdrop of an increase in foreign debt. The situation is aggravated by the presence of over 1 million registered refugees from Syria in the country.
