Speaker Nabih Berri defended President Michel Suleiman , following their meeting at the Baabda palace over the clause on the Resistance that was crossed out from the statement issued after the national dialogue session.

The clause “Lebanon has the right to defend itself through its army, people and Resistance” is included in the Ministerial Statement and Suleiman was not the one who crossed it out, noted Berri, even though he said the president, like anyone else, can be criticized for other matters.

An-Nahar newspaper had reported that Lebanon First bloc leader MP Fouad Siniora requested Director General of the Presidency of Lebanon Ambassador Naji Abi Assi to cross out the phrase. March 14 figures reportedly supported Siniora while the March 8 coalition’s figures objected.