Newly-elected Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri called on lawmakers Thursday to take advantage of the positive regional and international atmosphere to work for maintaining peace and stability in Lebanon.

During his address to parliament following his election, Berri stressed on "facilitating the formation of a national government to confront external challenges and threats."

Berri was elected Thursday as parliament speaker for a fifth consecutive term since 1992 with 90 votes out of 127.

"I remind you of the Israeli major military maneuver which represents preparations to revenge Lebanon for standing against Israeli aggression in July 2006, and the resistance which was able to defeat the strongest army in the region," Berri told the parliament.

Israel and the Lebanese Shiite armed group Hezbollah fought a 34-day devastating war in July 2006.

Berri, however, urged the reinforcement of the Lebanese army and the resistance which is "a necessity as long as Israel posses a threat and maintains its aggressive attitude against Lebanese territories and water."

He pledged that the parliament would continue efforts to liberate the occupied Lebanese territories, namely the Shebaa Farms, Kfarshouba Hills and the northern part of Ghajar village, and work on removing mines, as well as implementing UN resolution 1701.

Source: Xinhua