Berri says no progress in ceasefire talks, US 'not helping'

W460

There is no positive progress regarding a ceasefire in Lebanon, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, in remarks published Wednesday.

Hezbollah's acting leader Naim Qassem had said in a defiant televised speech earlier this week that Hezbollah backs efforts by Berri to reach a ceasefire.

"This is not new," Berri said, explaining that he has always been a main interlocutor in negotiations between Hezbollah and the west. "During the 2006 war I was also in charge of the political negotiations," he said.

Berri said his responsibilities have increased as Hezbollah's officials cannot move freely because of the war.

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat had met last week with Berri and the three leaders agreed to call for an immediate ceasefire and implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for the deployment of the Lebanese army south of the Litani river and coordination with UNIFIL.

Berri said he maintains his stance regarding the ideas that he discussed with Mikati and Jumblat, adding that he is counting on an upcoming Security Council session that will discuss the war in Gaza and Lebanon this week.

"France and the UK are trying to help us but the Americans, they say that they support us, but they are not doing anything to stop the aggression," Berri said.

SourceNaharnet
Comments 1
Missing HellAndWaite 10 October 2024, 01:29

In light of how very successfully Berri and his philosophy has created economic prosperity, new societal vitalities, plus personal freedoms and promise for all Lebanese, it is good to see that he has not changed his approach one iota, in response to the present day. Why change anything ... in his eyes, everything is going perfectly and according to his plan for Lebanon.

If only Lebanon's problems and opportunities were still of the time of Berri's youth ...