Naharnet - Suleiman Seeks Consensus on Solving False Witnesses - October 31, 2010

President Michel Suleiman was reportedly seeking consensus on solving the false witnesses' issue.

An-Nahar newspaper on Sunday said that while Suleiman does not want to evade the issue, this does not mean that discussing the matter in Cabinet will lead to consensus. It quoted well-informed sources as saying that when Cabinet failed to reach an agreement on the issue during last week's Cabinet meeting, Suleiman intervened, pointing out that in line with the Constitution "we should seek consensus. A vote would be the last resort. So nothing prevents us from looking for solutions." The source said Speaker Nabih Berri returned from Paris with several ideas he discussed with Suleiman and Prime Minister Saad Hariri. The sources confirmed that Suleiman could help find a solution which can satisfy both Berri and Hariri, but added that the President "will not violate the law by referring the false witnesses' issue to the Judicial Council."