Lebanon parliament re-elects Berri as speaker

BEIRUT, May 23 (KUNA) -- Lebanese Parliament re-elected Nabih Berri, Wednesday, for the sixth consecutive term, making him one of the longest-serving parliamentary speaker in the world.
The vote by paper ballot saw 98 of the parliament's 128 members pick Berri. One vote was disqualified and the rest were blank.
His election came after the country's May 6 parliamentary poll, the first in nine years after the deeply divided legislature, elected in 2009, repeatedly extended its own term.
After announcing him as the new Parliament's Speaker, Berri expressed his thanks to the Lebanese People for responding to calls of participating in the elections.
He considered the renewal of confidence in him gives him more responsibility for preserving the parliament and Lebanon as well, praising the prominent role of parliament in confronting terrorism and political life.(end) ayb.nhq