Salam and Berry reject any attempt at 'national division'

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Parliament Speaker and Amal Movement leader Nabih Berri reaffirmed Sunday evening their rejection of "any form of discord" among the Lebanese and of any "attempt at national division," two days after the signing, under U.S. auspices, of a framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel.

The agreement, reached at the end of the fifth round of negotiations between the two countries in Washington, was categorically rejected by the Amal-Hezbollah alliance.

During a phone call, the two men stressed their determination to "face any attempt to sow discord among the Lebanese." They also opposed "any exploitation of political disagreements likely to fuel national divisions."

The prime minister praised the conclusion of the agreement, while the parliament speaker reiterated that it would "not pass."

On Sunday evening, Berri told our publication that the Lebanon-Israel agreement was "contradictory and impossible to implement" and, in his view, meets none of the conditions necessary for its success or enforcement.

Amal and Hezbollah, in particular, reject the "pilot zones" proposal, under which the Israeli occupation army would permanently withdraw from designated areas if it determines that the Lebanese Army has effectively deployed there in place of Hezbollah.

On Saturday, Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem called the condition for any Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon — namely, the complete disarmament of the pro-Iranian group throughout Lebanese territory — "extremely dangerous," while referring to the Iranian-U.S. protocol agreement signed June 17 to end the war in the Middle East, including in Lebanon.

Political tensions have also been heightened by recent demonstrations by Hezbollah supporters opposing the agreement, as well as by the episode of pro-Iranian posters installed on the road to the airport, which were replaced over the weekend with new signs bearing the slogan: "Lebanon first."