Speaker Nabih Berri on Monday stressed the need to finalize the audit of previous years' accounts so that the 2019 state budget draft can be passed.

“It is not natural that the Cabinet’s work is disrupted, as it would further damage our internal situation that requires concentrated follow-up by Cabinet,” Berri told Al Joumhouria newspaper.

“The Parliament will soon discuss and approve the state budget. The government must convene, even for a one-item agenda, to finalize the audit of previous years' accounts so that the Parliament can do its job,” Berri emphasized.

“Any delay would cause superfluous unnecessary drawbacks and damages,” Berri added.