One man alone plays the strings of the Lebanese political fiddle, his friendship equally sought by all parties. He has held the second-most powerful position in the state for 21 consecutive years. A young Lebanese woman tweeted recently that she had concluded her university studies, watched six soccer World Cups, witnessed the election of four presidents and three popes, but known only one Speaker of parliament — Nabih Berri, the head of the Hezbollah-allied Shiite Amal Movement. This is a man whose role grows exponentially every time solutions or compromise are required.
Proposed solutions for Lebanon's multitude of complex problems have all found their way to Berri, the wizard of Lebanon’s political Oz. The first urgent matter, which led to the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Mikati, pertains to the retirement of Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi, director general of the Internal Security Forces. This issue arose at a time when Mikati had wanted to extend his stay in office, due to his extensive experience and the delicate security situation that the country is experiencing, in addition to factors relating to the outgoing prime minister’s desire to gain the favor of his (Sunni) community.
