Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri said that the solution for presidential deadlock in the country comes from abroad.

Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri said that the solution for presidential deadlock in the country comes from abroad.

In remarks published by Lebanese daily, Al-Joumhouria, Berri said that he has become “convinced more and more that the Lebanese solution will be a result of external agreements through narrowing the distance between opposing [states] after internal opportunities to find a solution were wasted.”

Regarding the recently signed nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers, the speaker said: “we should focus our attention in part on what the U.S. Congress’ stance would be.”

Earlier on Thursday, the speaker expressed regret that Lebanese officials failed to resolve the presidential crisis without the mediation of countries that have influence on Lebanon.

“We the Lebanese are useless,” he told al-Mustaqbal daily.

Lebanon has been without a head of state since President Michel Sleiman’s term ended May 2014, amid a feud between the country's rival factions on a consensus candidate. It is the longest presidential crisis in Lebanese history.

Asked by al-Joumhouria on his efforts to hold an extraordinary legislative session to approve draft-laws that he deems necessary, Berri expressed surprise at the conditions put by some parties, mainly those who have parliamentary blocs.

“No one can put conditions and paralyze the work of the parliament. The legislature elects a president and indirectly elects the prime minister and gives the government its vote of confidence,” Berri said.