Lebanon has been stuck in political limbo since 23 November when former president Emile Lahoud’s term came to an end, because the country’s feuding political camps have been unable to agree on a new president.

“Speaker Berri knows very well his responsibilities and hopes that others know theirs’ too. Welch [US assistant secretary of state for near east affairs] should put pressure on those who listen to him and obey him so that they too shoulder their responsibilities,” says a statement from Nabih Berri’s office.

Berri is also the leader of the pro-Syrian Amal party, part of the opposition bloc in parliament.