BEIRUT: Speaker Nabih Berri called on Lebanon’s politicians to be more positive Monday and said the country is confronting a “golden opportunity” to reach an agreement over a new electoral law.

“[Politicians] are required to give up on their negative attitudes. If we don’t reach a positive breakthrough, then there would be something missing in our sense of patriotism,” said the speaker in remarks published by An-Nahar.

Berri said both the March 8 and March 14 rival camps should resume the meetings of the parliamentary subcommittee discussing a new draft law for the coming parliamentary elections.

“The parliamentary subcommittee has paved way for the possibility of a new electoral law. This can lead to a major breakthrough if we know how to seize this golden opportunity,” said Berri.

Berri also said he was willing to extend the meetings for more than a week if the discussions required more time.

However, he warned political rivals would both see failure if no concessions over the elections’ law were made.

Lebanon’s parliamentary elections are set to be held in June 2013. However, no agreement was yet reached over a law for the elections.

Last week, the opposition lawmakers announced that they would participate in the parliamentary subcommittee meeting scheduled on January 8, ending a boycott of parliament meetings for security reasons.