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

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.