Berri on buffer zone: Let Israel do it on its side
While Hezbollah opponents call for the implementation of U.N. resolution 1701, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri says he hopes that Israel implements the resolution.
"I hope they implement it and withdraw from the Shebaa Farms, the Kfarshouba Hills, the village of Ghajar, the 13 contested points and B1," Berri told al-Liwaa newspaper in remarks published Friday, as he denied having discussed the issue with any diplomat or knowing about an imminent visit by U.S. energy envoy Amos Hochstein that would possibly discuss the land border demarcation between Lebanon and Israel.
Recent media reports had claimed a deal that would end the presence of Hezbollah from the area south of the Litani River, in return for Israel’s withdrawal from the occupied Lebanese territories and the 13 contested points.
The area south of the Litani River would become a buffer zone, guaranteeing security to the residents of northern Israel.
"They can make the buffer zone on their side of the border," Berri said.
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati had said in a statement Tuesday that U.N.-sponsored talks were planned in the coming months, aimed at "reaching an agreement, via the U.N., about contested points along the border with the Israeli enemy".
"We hope that in the next three months we will reach a stage of total stability on our borders," Mikati added.
Source: Naharnet
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