Berri says had agreed with Nasrallah on ceasefire initiative

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri confirmed Monday to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that Lebanon is still committed to what was agreed upon with American mediator Amos Hochstein regarding a path that leads to a ceasefire with Israel and the implementation of U.N. resolution 1701.

Berri said he had agreed on a ceasefire initiative with Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed by an Israeli airstrike on Friday, and that the agreement is still "in effect."

He added that he is in contact with Hezbollah, and supported the ceasefire that caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati called for following their meeting this morning.

Mikati had announced Monday that Lebanon is ready to implement Resolution 1701 and send the army immediately to the area south of Litani should there be a ceasefire.

He also said that once there is a ceasefire, Berri would immediately convene parliament to elect a consensual president.

Berri strongly rejected linking the ceasefire to the presidential elections. "No one has the right to interfere in the presidential elections because it is a sovereign issue," Berri said, adding that Lebanon welcomes any assistance but rejects interference.

Berri said that he informed French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot that Lebanon is committed to the call for a ceasefire and to the immediate implementation of Resolution 1701.

Berri also met on Monday Army chief General Joseph Aoun.