Berri 'continues to obstruct progress' in Lebanon, warn US congressmen in letter to Trump

BEIRUT — Two American members of Congress, Darin LaHood and Darrell Issa, have accused Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri of "bstructing progress" in Lebanon, in a letter addressed to President Donald Trump in which they specifically mention his hindrance of the democratic process and electoral law reform.

"Nabih Berri is once again standing in the way of progress. Any continued delay by him or others to obstruct the democratic process and prevent open parliamentary session to fairly address election law reform is unacceptable and would represent full alignment Hezbollah and its political allies."

According to LaHood and Issa, "Lebanon's diaspora community has long sustained the people, who deserve a full and fair voice in elections for parliamentary representation. Corrupt political elites cannot continue to serve special interests at a time when the Lebanese people need decisive leaders."

The letter comes in the context of ambitious reforms in Lebanon. The two congressmen recall that the country, under the presidency of Aoun and the "functional, responsible and non-corrupt" government of Nawaf Salam, has undertaken "significant changes that bring the hope of a future free from Hezbollah's malign influence."

"However, we cannot allow outside forces, malicious actors or bureaucratic blockages to squander this unique opportunity for the Lebanese people," they write. "Continued, vigorous and creative American leadership is needed."

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The signatories insist on several points: the full disarmament of Hezbollah "both south and north of the Litani River by the Lebanese Armed Forces," the implementation of "substantial reforms of the banking system," deeper exploration of "discussions on the negotiations between Israel and Lebanon," as well as the right of the diaspora to vote for all seats in Parliament during the next elections in May 2026. "We are closely monitoring the implementation of each step, and the upcoming elections will be crucial to ensure that Hezbollah and its remaining political allies do not gain any further ground," they add.

Corrupt political elites

LaHood and Issa recall that the 2017 electoral law initially limited the diaspora to six out of 128 seats. However, during the 2018 and 2022 elections, this limitation was suspended, allowing the diaspora to vote for all seats, "with massive support for reformist and independent candidates"

"Currently, many members of the Lebanese Parliament, and as of this week, officially the Lebanese government, are working to permanently secure the full voting rights of the Lebanese diaspora community, they note. Unfortunately, corrupt political elites and their allied parties are seeking to block democratic rights and progress."

The latest developments in the matter date back to last Nov. 6. Meeting in Baabda under the chairmanship of President Aoun, Cabinet decided to send to the Chamber a bill of double urgency suspending Article 112 of the electoral law, which limits the vote of Lebanese abroad to only six seats, for the 2026 election.

Now the ball is in Berri's court, who refuses to put an amendment to the electoral law on the agenda, his side (the Amal-Hezbollah alliance) being opposed to expanding the emigrant vote. Opposing him are the Lebanese Forces, the Kataeb, and Sunni MPs, who are pushing for the diaspora's right to vote for all 128 members of Parliament.

The two American lawmakers also emphasize that "Iran's influence in Lebanon is weakened. Hezbollah continues to lose its leaders, its fighters, its infrastructure, its funding, and its influence. The United States should be ready to use all available tools to sanction or freeze the assets of those who continue to obstruct democratic processes and reforms in Lebanon" "This is truly a moment for action," they stress.

In August 2025, Issa visited Beirut, where he was received by Aoun. In August 2023, parliamentarians Issa, LaHood, and Max Miller sent a letter to then-U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken requesting "targeted sanctions, including the freezing of all dollar-denominated assets of those who have demonstrated obstructionist behavior toward the presidential election process, including Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, among others."