Berri says Lebanon will never give up 'any inch of land'

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said Friday that Lebanon won’t accept to give up any inch of its land "under no circumstances", following remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israeli forces will remain on five hills in south Lebanon.

"Lebanon will resort to all possible means to protect its sovereign rights and liberate the land from Israeli occupation," Berri said, adding that preserving Lebanon and the south is a comprehensive national responsibility and must be a point of unity. "If we are united we can overcome any challenge."

Netanyahu had said Thursday that Israel "will not give up" the five "strategic" hills it occupies in south Lebanon. "We maintain five points on the Lebanese side of the border to protect our territory," Netanyahu said, adding: "We will not relinquish control" of the five sites.

Deputy U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Morgan Ortagus said earlier this week that the U.S. will be "bringing together Lebanon and Israel for talks aimed at diplomatically resolving several outstanding issues between the two countries."

The issues that will be discussed are the remaining 5 points where Israeli forces are still deployed, the release of Lebanese prisoners, and the remaining disputed points along the Blue Line.

A ceasefire reached in late November ceasefire required Hezbollah to withdraw north of the Litani River and to dismantle any remaining military infrastructure in the south.

Israel was meant to withdraw completely from Lebanese territory by February 18, but it has kept troops at five locations it deems strategic.