Naharnet - Berri Says False Witnesses: 'Open Sesame' - September 24, 2010

Speaker Nabih Berri reiterated on the need for the Lebanese judiciary to take action against false witnesses in ex-Premier Rafik Hariri's assassination case.
"The report prepared by the justice minister on false witnesses is complete. Eventually, the Lebanese judiciary should move in this regard and start questioning those false witnesses," Berri told An Nahar daily in remarks published Friday.

"In short, false witnesses: open sesame," the speaker said.

He also expressed comfort at the latest decision of the cabinet to restore calm in the country. The speaker described the latest crisis as "an illness that we should battle to preserve the body of the nation and its structure."

"We are heading towards calm … I am in continuous contact with Premier (Saad) Hariri over the issue," he said.

"Some of PM Hariri's allies harmed him by their statements on Syria and ties with Israel. Such talk creates tension and does not help (efforts to find) a solution," Berri told As Safir.

When asked by the daily about the French ambassador's latest remarks that it won't be the end of the world if the STL indicts Hizbullah members, Berri said: "Denis Pietton's statement that France would keep its ties with Hizbullah even if some of its members were accused does not comfort Hizbullah."