
Speaker Berri meets Le Drian, praises French assistance against UNIFIL plot
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri affirmed the Parliament's commitment to completing all necessary reform legislation, stressing the urgent need to begin the reconstruction efforts for the damage caused by the Israeli aggression against Lebanon.
He commended France's efforts in preparing for the reconstruction conference.
Berri's stance came during his reception of French Presidential Envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian and his accompanying delegation at the Second Presidency headquarters in Ain El-Tineh.
The meeting was attended by French Ambassador Hervé Magro and Speaker Berri's advisor, Mahmoud Berri.
The meeting addressed the general situation in Lebanon and the region, as well as political and field developments in light of Israel's continued occupation of parts of Lebanese territory and its ongoing aggressions and violations of the ceasefire agreement and U.N. Resolution 1701.
The lack of cooperation from Israel with the Quintet Committee, tasked with implementing the ceasefire agreement and U.N. Resolution 1701, was also discussed.
The discussions also touched upon the reconstruction file, the reform path, and negotiations with the International Monetary Fund.
Regarding the extension of UNIFIL forces operating in southern Lebanon, Speaker Berri expressed appreciation for France's efforts in supporting Lebanon to counter the conspiracy being plotted against the international forces, aimed at undermining them and Lebanon.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


LBCI
9 hours ago
- LBCI
Strike talk as leverage: What's driving Israel's messaging on Iran?
Report by Amal Shehadeh, English adaptation by Mariella Succar Despite an agreement with Washington not to strike Iran, Israel continues to promote the need for such an attack, particularly amid Tehran's insistence on continuing uranium enrichment. Israeli concerns will be discussed in Washington by Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Mossad Director David Barnea, who are set to meet with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff ahead of the sixth round of talks with the Iranians, scheduled for Sunday. Despite security and military officials expecting the Israeli delegation to fail in persuading Donald Trump of the need to launch a strike on Iran, sources familiar with the phone call between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the two leaders are aligned — each for his reasons — in promoting the possibility of such an attack. Trump continues to signal the potential for military action, hoping Iran will back down from its demands and move negotiations forward. Netanyahu, meanwhile, amplifies threats of a strike to serve domestic political purposes, aiming to prevent the collapse of his government. In both cases, all reports indicate that Israel cannot carry out such an attack without U.S. approval. An Israeli report reveals that any strike on Iran would require reaching facilities buried dozens of meters deep in solid rock, while the weaponry currently available to Tel Aviv can only achieve minimal damage — whether in terms of bomb effectiveness or aircraft capability. This has made the reality of the threat increasingly transparent, amid two possible scenarios: If Netanyahu's government falls following a potential Knesset collapse — should ultra-Orthodox parties succeed in their political battle — Israel's priorities, already shifting toward early elections, could be reshaped. If Netanyahu survives the vote, securing his political standing, the Iranian file may recede from the top of his agenda.


LBCI
9 hours ago
- LBCI
Le Drian returns to Beirut, revives French role in Lebanon's crisis
Report by Toni Mrad, English adaptation by Mariella Succar France — often referred to as Lebanon's 'tender mother' — has renewed its diplomatic engagement in the country through the return of presidential envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian. One of Le Drian's most notable meetings took place away from the media spotlight with Mohammad Raad, head of Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc, Loyalty to the Resistance. According to information obtained by LBCI, the talks were described as positive. During the meeting, Raad emphasized that the key to stability in Lebanon lies in halting Israeli attacks and ensuring a full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory — goals that require strong international pressure, particularly from guarantor countries such as France and the United States. On the issue of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Raad affirmed that Hezbollah supports the extension of the peacekeeping mission under the terms of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 — a position aligned with the stance of Lebanon's three top officials. While Le Drian heard Hezbollah's views, he, in turn, stressed the importance of advancing reforms — particularly the banking restructuring law and legislation addressing the financial gap. According to sources, he received support for moving forward on these key reforms. Le Drian also discussed these issues — along with the question of ensuring the state's exclusive control over arms — in meetings with several Lebanese political figures, including MPs Michel Douaihy and Fouad Makhzoumi, Free Patriotic Movement leader Gebran Bassil, Kataeb Party leader Samy Gemayel, and Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. But the broader question remains: What real and effective role can France play in Lebanon? And is it capable of easing pressure from Saudi Arabia and the United States, both of which place Hezbollah's disarmament at the forefront of their demands? What can be said is that Paris appears to be trying to revive the reform agenda, which has taken a backseat to the issue of weapons. Whether France will succeed in this effort remains to be seen. France's role may be more impactful when it comes to the extension of UNIFIL's mandate in southern Lebanon. In addition to being a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, France also holds the role of "penholder" — responsible for drafting Council resolutions and statements, including those related to Lebanon. Since Le Drian's last visit to Beirut, France has managed to reopen discussions on UNIFIL ahead of the renewal deadline in late August — a renewal that this year coincides with a rise in tensions and incidents involving the international force. In the end, France — through Le Drian — appears once again not only to be offering assistance to Lebanon, but also working to reinforce its presence and role on the Lebanese stage.

LBCI
9 hours ago
- LBCI
US embassy in Iraq preparing for ordered evacuation due to 'heightened security risks'
The U.S. embassy in Iraq is preparing for an ordered evacuation due to heightened security risks in the region, an Iraqi security official and a U.S. source said on Wednesday. Iran's Minister of Defense Aziz Nasirzadeh said earlier in the day that Tehran will strike U.S. bases in the region if nuclear talks and conflict arise with Washington. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "The State Department is set to have an ordered departure for (the) U.S. embassy in Baghdad. The intent is to do it through commercial means, but the U.S. military is standing by if help is requested," another U.S. official said.