Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in a meeting with a US delegation at Ain al-Tineh on Dec. 10 2025. (Credit: NNA)
The American Task Force for Lebanon (ATFL) delegation, led by Ambassador Edward Gabriel, held separate meetings with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea to discuss Washington’s view of Lebanon, U.S.–Lebanese relations, regional developments, and the latest negotiations and security measures in southern Lebanon, the state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported Friday.
Berri, a key political ally of Hezbollah, received Gabriel and the ATFL delegation in Ain al-Tineh, accompanied by U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa. Discussions centered on political and security developments in Lebanon and the wider region.
The meeting, which lasted over an hour, allowed for what Issa described as a “direct dialogue” between the U.S. side and the Parliament speaker, noting that information reaching Washington “often differs from realities on the ground.”
According to the NNA, Berri presented his assessment of the country’s current political and security landscape.
Addressing the work of the “mechanism” committee — which oversees discussions related to the cease-fire monitoring process — Issa stressed the importance of allowing negotiations to move forward “without premature judgments” and ensuring space for all parties to express their positions.
Last Wednesday, Lebanese and Israeli civilian representatives participated in a cease-fire monitoring committee meeting in southern Lebanon, marking the first direct civilian talks between the two countries in more than 40 years.
The expansion of the mechanism to include civilians originated from a proposal by U.S. envoy Morgan Ortagus and received broad agreement from major Lebanese power centers. Still, Hezbollah’s leader Naim Qassem criticized President Joseph Aoun decision to approve it — after consulting with the prime minister and Berri, describing it as a concession to Israel.
Commenting on ongoing Israeli attacks and U.S. assistance to the Lebanese Army, Issa said that military aid “continues and has never stopped for a single day.”
While negotiations have begun, he noted, this “does not mean that Israel will halt its actions.” Washington, he added, considers the two tracks separate, but believes that “through negotiation it is possible to bring viewpoints closer together.”
The visit of Lebanese Army Commander General Rodolph Haykal to the U.S. remains in the planning phase, with no confirmed date yet. Issa said the trip would allow Haykal “to deliver a direct message to U.S. officials.” Washington canceled Haykal’s scheduled visit last month without offering an explanation.
"We are waiting, as it has been said, for the area south of the Litani to come under the authority of the Army", Issa also noted. Regarding Hezbollah, Issa remarked that “the organization is expected to fulfill its responsibilities.”
Gabriel later described the Ain al-Tineh meeting as “very productive,” praising the opportunity to discuss Lebanon’s domestic situation as well as its regional ties with Syria, the Gulf, and other Middle Eastern states.
He expressed optimism about the progress of ongoing negotiations and reaffirmed U.S. support for the Lebanese Army to ensure they carry out their duties effectively.
ATFL holds 'fruitful' meeting with Geagea
Geagea, a prominent and outspoken critic of Hezbollah who repeatedly calls for the group’s disarmament, met with the delegation in Maarab in the presence of MP Ghassan Hasbani of the “Strong Republic” bloc, the head of the party’s Foreign Relations Department, former minister Richard Kouyoumjian, Executive Committee member Joseph Gebeily, and Perla Salibi.
Following the hour-and-a-half meeting, Gabriel described the discussion as “fruitful,” saying it included a detailed review of Washington’s stance on Lebanon and the challenges shaping the relationship between Beirut and Washington, at both the administration and congressional levels.
He stressed that Lebanon must take “appropriate steps” in the coming months to strengthen its relationship with the United States. Gabriel also noted that the delegation had recently returned from a tour of the Gulf region, including Qatar, as well as meetings with Saudi officials, in an effort to form a clearer picture of the role of U.S.–Lebanese relations within the broader landscape of U.S. ties to Arab and Gulf states.
Gabriel added that the task force is hosting a group of Washington-based experts specializing in Lebanese policy, including former U.S. ambassadors to Lebanon and representatives from think tanks and policy institutions. He said the group looks forward to further meetings later this week.
