An-Nahar daily quoted Sunday Lebanese policymakers as saying that Speaker Nabih Berri is well aware that his proposal to form a committee to abolish political sectarianism is unfeasible in light of the political-popular rejection aroused against the bid,  in particular Berri’s key ally “Hizbullah” who has to take into account the positions of General Michel Aoun, perhaps more than satisfying the Speaker.

The newspaper stressed that well-informed sources indicated that there are three topics on the table at this stage; the administrative appointments, the abolition of political sectarianism and the municipal elections.

It also considered Berri’s game is aimed at snatching more posts in public institutions in the upcoming appointments from his contestant Hizbullah, while on the other hand some believe Berri’s pitch is more linked to the municipal elections due next spring.

The last-minute-shot thrown by Berri through his proposition to form a national committee for the abolition of political sectarianism is apparently seized by MP Walid Jumblatt only who is endeavoring to put Berri in his pocket as a powerful Shiite ally to preserve a certain sectarian diversity in the next municipal elections.

However, it should be noted that the experience of the municipal elections in 1998 was very frustrating to Berri and his Amal Movement given the fact Hizbullah’s pursuit to take over all the municipalities in Shiite dominated areas.

According to these sources, the policy adopted by some senior officials prior to 2004 was to maintain the Shiite diversity, despite the fact that this compromise was costly at administrations, quotas and other relevant fields.

To sum up with, the same sources assert that Berri’s procrastination is aimed at postponing the municipal elections a year or two or to delay it until further notice.

N.S.