Lebanon speaker slams Straw

BEIRUT, Lebanon, March 11 (UPI) -- Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri slammed British Foreign Minister Jack Straw for criticizing the re-nomination of ousted Prime Minister Omar Karami.

"We heard that you were upset very much because President Emile Lahoud re-nominated Prime Minister Omar Karami to form the new government ..." Berri wrote in a letter to Straw.

"Britain's anger is a great concern for us ... Why don't you nominate the next prime minister of Lebanon so that you would feel less stressed ..." Berri wrote.

Berri added, "Maybe in return we in Lebanon can appoint the foreign minister of Britain."

Straw said Thursday he was upset by the re-nomination of Karami whose government was ousted under pressure two weeks ago.