Lebanon parliament speaker optimistic on forming government soon: MP

Reuters
Nabih Berri, speaks after he was re-elected Lebanon's parliamentary speaker, as Lebanon's newly elected parliament convenes for the first time to elect a speaker and deputy speaker in Beirut, Lebanon May 23, 2018. Lebanese Parliament/Handout via REUTERS

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said on Wednesday he was optimistic that there would be a breakthrough soon in the standoff over forming a government, according to a member of parliament from his party. Berri said there was now a serious effort to form a government and his optimism stemmed from President Michel Aoun's intervention in the process over the past two days, Ali Bazzi told reporters in broadcast comments. (Reporting By Angus McDowall; Editing by Andrew Heavens)