Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in his office in Ain el-Tineh, March 5, 2024. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)
The press office of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri stated on Saturday that "any statements or messages attributed to him or reported by his visitors in certain media outlets are completely false", adding that "meetings are still ongoing and no final position has yet been taken." This comes as Lebanon is expected to imminently deliver its response to the U.S. proposal concerning Hezbollah's disarmament.
The Al-Jadeed television channel reported that “Hezbollah submitted its response last night to the Speaker of Parliament, in which it reaffirmed its commitment to the full implementation of the ceasefire resolution” passed in November 2024, stressing that "there is no need to conclude a new agreement that would override what has already been decided," and that "the party has asked Israel to fully comply with this resolution."
According to the same channel — which also mentioned a meeting scheduled for Saturday at the presidential palace on the matter — “Hezbollah stated in its response that it is ready to discuss the issue of its weapons as part of a defense strategy or internal dialogue, expressing its willingness to engage in constructive discussion.”
Citing sources contacted by Al-Arabiya and Al-Hadath, it was reported that the Lebanese presidency sent Hezbollah an ultimatum on Saturday morning, requesting a response to the proposals made by U.S. special envoy Thomas Barrack.
President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Speaker Nabih Berri reportedly agree that “the era of weapons outside the control of the Lebanese state is over,” and that they will “not allow any party to drag Lebanon toward destruction.” According to the same media outlets, Berri is also said to have conveyed a message to Hezbollah: “If you do not respond, we will move forward without you.”
