Berri says no Israeli freedom of movement or NATO forces in US paper

The U.S. ceasefire paper presented to Speaker Nabih Berri consists of 13 points, the most controversial of which is one granting both sides "the right to self-defense," which Lebanon fears could stand for the "freedom of movement" that Israel has demanded and Lebanon has rejected, diplomatic sources in Beirut told Asharq al-Awsat newspaper on Friday.

The paper also includes an article calling for the creation of a committee that would supervise the implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah but was largely breached by both sides, the sources added.

The sources noted that Lebanon has objected against the formation of this committee, which Washington wants to chair, with the Lebanese negotiators suggesting that the current Tripartite committee be expanded to include the U.S. and France, after Berri objected against the participation of Britain and Germany.

The current Tripartite committe comprises officers from Lebanon, Israel and the UNIFIL peacekeeping force and used to hold monthly meetings in Naqoura to discuss violations.

And while Lebanon is expected to respond "very soon" to the U.S. paper with a written letter containing its observations, Speaker Nabih Berri told Asharq al-Awsat that the U.S. paper does not include any form of freedom of movement for the Israeli army in Lebanon.

Berri also said that the proposal does not call for the deployment of NATO or other forces in Lebanon.

The Speaker however revealed the presence of a text that is "not acceptable by Lebanon," which is the formation of a committee that would supervise the implementation of Resolution 1701, comprising a number of Western countries.

"There are ongoing discussions about an alternative mechanism," Berri added.

"The efforts are ongoing, the atmosphere is positive and what's important is the conclusion," the Speaker went on to say.

Asked about Israel's intensive bombing of his hometown Tebnin and the Beirut southern suburbs of Ghobeiri, Shiyyah and Burj al-Barajneh, traditionally considered loyal to him, Berri said: "It seems that (Israeli PM Benjamin) Netanyahu believes that he can obtain concessions from someone by being harsh on him, but it seems that he doesn't know whom he's dealing with and that these matters don't work with us."

A Lebanese official told AFP that the proposal comprises "13 points spanning five pages."

If an agreement is reached, Washington and Paris would issue a joint statement, he said, followed by a 60-day truce during which Lebanon will redeploy troops in the southern border area, near Israel.

The proposal is "an American one, and Berri asked for a three-day period" to study it, the official added.

He also said Israel has yet to respond to the initiative.

Israeli officials have recently vowed no let-up in the fighting against Hezbollah.

A U.S. State Department spokesperson declined to comment on "ongoing, private negotiations," but said that "we remain committed to a diplomatic resolution that restores a lasting calm allowing residents in both Lebanon and Israel to return safely to their homes."

A second Lebanese official, also requesting anonymity, confirmed a truce proposal was "under study" and said he was "optimistic" about the talks.

"The proposal is the result of the last meeting between Berri and Hochstein, who reached an understanding for a ceasefire roadmap based on implementing Resolution 1701," he said.

Berri and Hochstein last met in October.

U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the last Hezbollah-Israel war of 2006, said Lebanese troops and U.N. peacekeepers should be the only armed forces deployed in the south, where Hezbollah holds sway.

The resolution also called for Israel to withdraw troops from Lebanon.

The second official suggested Lebanon would object to an agreement that would allow Israeli forces to keep conducting operations against Hezbollah inside Lebanon, as some media reports said Israel had demanded.

"If Israel can launch operations in Lebanon, why reach a ceasefire and implement Resolution 1701 at all?" the official said.