Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said Saturday he is confident that presidential elections would be held on a consensus base and according to constitutional schedule, disclosing that convening a regional conference on Lebanon is being considered. Berri, in an interview broadcast live by the Voice of Lebanon Radio, said the Lebanese "ought to reach consensus ? I am not frightened at all."Convening a regional conference on Lebanon "is being considered," Berri said, clarifying that the idea has been brought up in meetings between French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and his Egyptian and Saudi counterparts, Ahmed Abul Gheit and Prince Saud al-Faisal. Berri stressed that he has relayed his approval of the proposal to Egypt's ambassador to Lebanon, stressing that "I am ready to take part in any meeting, anywhere, to save Lebanon."
Addressing MP Saad Hariri, leader of the al-Moustaqbal parliamentary bloc, Berri said: "Change all your plans, because after a while you won't be in accord with (Premier Fouad) Saniora."
Commenting on the outcome of by-elections at the Beirut and Metn constituencies, Berri said that at the first parliamentary session he would inform legislators on an interior ministry memo announcing the results "if no objections were made, then things will be put in course."
Commenting on the tense relations with Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime, Berri said: "Syria is closer to us than being termed an enemy ? Lebanon cannot be ruled from Syria and cannot be against Syria."
Berri said he supports "distinguished and diplomatic relations" with Syria. But Syria has so far refused to recognize Lebanon as a sovereign and independent state and for this reason they refused the offer made by Siniora to establish diplomatic relations and open embassies in both Beirut and Damascus. Syria has also refused to demarcate the borders between Lebanon and Syria.