Saudi Arabia insists that decision-making return to the state, says Berri

BEIRUT — Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said Riyadh insists that decision-making in Lebanon "return to the state" as the international community pushes to disarm Hezbollah as a requirement for financial aid.

"The Saudis insist on the necessity that decision-making returns to the Lebanese state, meaning the implementation of the inaugural address [by President Joseph Aoun] and the ministerial statement, and we are in favor of their implementation," Berri told Asas media.

In this context, he described his meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Advisor Yazid bin Farhan as "very good and positive."

Following Farhan’s visit to Lebanese authorities, alongside French envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian, the international conference in support of the Lebanese Army was scheduled for March 5 in Paris.

The army announced it completed the first phase of dismantling Hezbollah's weapons south of the Litani River more than a year after the cease-fire with Israel came into effect on Nov. 27, 2024.

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Berri also said he had been informed "of the [Saudi] efforts made through moves with Qatar and Oman with the United States to avoid war" against Iran.

He also noted that "the entire region is living in a state of instability."

After a surge of American threats of military action against the Islamic Republic last week, a fragile calm has settled over the Middle East, marked by Gulf countries, especially Saudi Arabia, intervening to prevent American strikes. The prospect of a U.S. attack on the regime is not completely off the table, as protests in Iran have faded.

Regarding the impact on Lebanon of a U.S.-Iran clash or possible negotiations between the two countries, Berri said that there is "zero result at this level. Whatever happens [regionally], nothing can be done in Lebanon without consensus."

Israel 'does not want to implement' the cease-fire agreement

In this regard, the speaker denounced that Israel "does not want to implement the Nov. 27, 2024 agreement on the cessation of hostilities, even though it was concluded with the Americans, the French, and the United Nations."

Turning to the parliamentary elections, scheduled for May, Berri stated that nothing stands in the way of holding them. While the vote could be delayed by two months amid political disagreement over the diaspora vote, Berri believed that "this would not be a delay."

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The modalities of the diaspora vote continue to spark debate in Lebanon. It is still unclear whether expatriates will be restricted to voting only for the six seats reserved for them under Article 112 of the electoral law (44/2017), or if they will be able to cast ballots for all 128 deputies, as in previous votes.

The Lebanese Forces and their allies advocate suspending Article 112 so Lebanese abroad can vote for candidates in all 128 districts instead of being limited to six seats. The debate is unresolved: Berri and his ally Hezbollah support maintaining the six seats dedicated to the diaspora.

In early January, President Aoun mentioned a possible "technical" postponement of the elections, which would allow Lebanese abroad to participate in voting for all 128 deputies.