Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain al-Tineh, March 5, 2024. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L'Orient Today)
Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri said that Lebanon “will not accept any attempts to exchange aid for political or military conditions, whether related to the resistance's weapons north of the Litani River or other internal files,” in an interview with Al-Diyar newspaper published Tuesday.
Berri discussed the latest political and security developments, addressing Israeli threats, regional developments, the internal Lebanese situation, as well as the electoral file.
Regarding the reconstruction and international aid issue, Berri explained that “the reconstruction of what was destroyed by Israeli aggression must be a national priority, and that Lebanon seeks international support without compromising its sovereign rights or making concessions that would harm its national principles.”
For Lebanon’s $1 billion emergency reconstruction program, the World Bank will contribute $250 million, the bank announced Thursday in a meeting with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
Berri also mentioned “that the aggressive policies pursued by the far-right in Israel are causing concern. He pointed out that the Israeli occupation goes beyond occupying the five border hills, extending to the establishment of an occupied border strip that stretches one or two kilometers into Lebanese territory. This effectively creates a new occupied area on the southern border.”
Israel said that troops would remain at five strategic locations on the Lebanese side of the Blue Line chosen for their vantage points or proximity to towns in northern Israel, beyond the Feb. 18 deadline for full withdrawal.
Berri added that Lebanon is closely monitoring these movements and will “not allow” this on its ground. He stressed that “any change in the border situation requires a unified national stance and called on the international community to bear its responsibility in stopping these repeated violations of Lebanese sovereignty.”
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem has said that the Lebanese government should act and has given them the “time and space to do so,” but noted that if no action is taken, the party will “take matters into its own hands.”
Berri pointed out that Israel is also trying to “intervene in the internal affairs of neighboring countries, particularly Syria, by tampering with its demographic structure and claiming to protect certain components, such as the Druze.”
Berri praises Joumblatt's 'steadfast position'
Berri praised the “steadfast position of [the former Progressive Socialist Party] leader Walid Joumblatt in confronting these schemes in both Syria and Lebanon, noting that his stance on national and strategic issues has not changed, particularly regarding the resistance and the rejection of Israeli occupation.”
Joumblatt accused Israel of trying to “fragment the region.”
“The free Syrians must be cautious of the plots of Israel,” Joumblatt said. “In Syria there is a plot for sabotage. There is a plot for sabotage in the region and for the Arabs’ national security.”
His comments came in response to statements made on Saturday evening by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, threatening military intervention in Syria against the new Damascus forces "if the regime harmed the Druze," particularly the Druze community of Jaramana, near the Syrian capital. "We will not allow the terrorist regime of radical Islam in Syria to harm the Druze," Katz said in a statement released by his ministry.
Syria's Druze communities, especially in the southern province of Sweida, have been caught between new Syrian forces and invading Israeli troops.
Berri expresses 'optimism about possibility of Saudi aid'
Regarding President Joseph Aoun's visit to Saudi Arabia on Monday, Berri “expressed optimism about the possibility of Saudi aid to the Lebanese economy, especially with discussions about potential investment projects in Lebanon.”
He pointed out that Saudi Arabia has “always been a supporter of Lebanon,” expressing hope that the Lebanese government would “succeed in building direct relations with Riyadh, either through ministers or through government institutions, which would have a positive impact on the Lebanese economic situation.”
Saudi Arabia was Aoun’s first foreign destination since his election on Jan. 9. In late January, he pledged to rebuild Lebanon’s ties with Gulf states, saying he aimed to establish “new foundations for cooperation.”
Relations between Lebanon and the Gulf have been strained in recent years due to Hezbollah’s influence and the Kingdom's opposition to it. The Iran-backed group was militarily weakened after its last war with Israel and the killing of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in September 2024, prompting Gulf nations to reconsider their stance toward Lebanon.
