Latest news with #Berri
Nahar Net
2 days ago
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Berri not notified of Ortagus visit, says US hasn't done enough to stop Israeli violations
by Naharnet Newsdesk 27 May 2025, 14:51 Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has only heard about U.S. Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus' visit to Lebanon from media reports. Berri told local al-Joumhouria newspaper, in remarks published Tuesday, that he hasn't been formally informed that Ortagus would visit Lebanon next week and that he has not seen any tangible steps from the U.S. regarding the Israeli violations of the November ceasefire. Israel has continued to launch near-daily airstrikes in southern and eastern Lebanon and sometimes in Beirut's suburbs despite a November 27 truce that sought to halt more than a year of hostilities with Hezbollah including two months of full-blown war. Under the terms of the ceasefire deal, the only armed bodies in southern Lebanon are meant to be U.N. peacekeepers and Lebanon's army, though Israel has retained its forces in five areas it has declared strategic. "We are committed to the ceasefire," Berri said, urging the U.S. to compel Israel to stop its attacks. Al-Akhbar newspaper had earlier reported that the Lebanese presidency was informed of a postponement of a visit by Ortagus from May to June and that the U.S. diplomat would carry with her a list of U.S. conditions for Israel's complete withdrawal from south Lebanon and a halt of its attacks on the country and would pressure Lebanon to consider joining peace accords with Israel. Ortagus said last week that Lebanon still has "more" to do in disarming Hezbollah across the country.
Al Manar
3 days ago
- Politics
- Al Manar
Hezbollah MPs Visit Speaker Berri, Say Elections Prove People Sticking to Resistance Choice
A delegation consisting of Hezbollah parliamentarians visited Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Monday, and welcomed the outcome of the municipal and mayoral elections which were wrapped up on Saturday. The delegation, led by the head of Hezbollah's Loyalty to Resistance parliamentary bloc MP Mohammad Raad, tackled with Speaker Berri latest political developments and results of local elections as well as legislative affairs. Following the meeting with Speaker Berri, MP Raad praised Speaker Berri over his 'patriotic stances in support of the resistance and his keenness to adopt the choice of development,' he said in remarks carried by Al-Manar. 'What happened during the municipal and mayoral elections in all regions and governorates only indicates our people's adherence to the option of resistance and development,' the Hezbollah lawmaker added. 'We extend sincerest greetings and thanks to our honored people of resistance who adopt and bet on the tripartite formula (army-people-resistance) in order to liberate the land, to expel the occupation and to rebuild the villages destroyed by the Israeli aggression.' The delegation also included Hezbollah MPs Amin Sherri, Hasan Fadlallah, Ali Ammar and Hussein Hajj Hasan. The allied electoral lists of the national duo of Hezbollah and Amal Movement, which is headed by Speaker Berri, swept the local elections during the four rounds.
Al Manar
4 days ago
- Politics
- Al Manar
Lebanon Marks 25th Anniversary of Liberation Day with Calls for Unity, Sovereignty, and Reconstruction
On the 25th anniversary of Lebanon's Resistance and Liberation Day, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri honored those who answered the nation's call a quarter-century ago, sacrificing their lives in steadfast resistance to defend Lebanon's sovereignty. Berri paid tribute to all resistance fighters and martyrs who chose to give their lives at pivotal moments, their sacrifices culminating in the defeat of Israeli aggression, safeguarding Lebanon's sovereignty, and reclaiming most of the occupied territories. 'Their collective efforts established May 25, 2000, as a historic day of victory and liberation for the nation,' Berri asserted. Highlighting that true liberation demands loyalty, resilience, and development, Berri expressed deep gratitude to those who embraced this call, successfully fulfilling a critical national and constitutional milestone. He praised the people of southern Lebanon for their recent civil achievements, which stand as a testament to progress built on the foundation of the 2000 liberation. 'The Lebanese are not only heroes in resistance but also exemplars of democracy.' He concluded by thanking the people of the south for their unwavering steadfastness and commitment to development and loyalty, affirming that 'all national rights remain secured, and Lebanon and its people are well.' PM Nawaf Salam Affirms Commitment to Full Sovereignty, Reconstruction Prime Minister Nawaf Salam marked the occasion by reiterating that the celebration is incomplete until all Lebanese territories are fully liberated from Israeli occupation. In a statement on social media, Salam reaffirmed the government's commitment, as outlined in its ministerial declaration, to take all necessary measures to liberate Lebanese land from Israeli occupation and extend state sovereignty across all territories, relying on Lebanon's own capabilities in accordance with the Taif Agreement. يأتي عيد التحرير وفرحتنا لن تكتمل ما لم تحرر كامل اراضينا من الاحتلال الاسرائيلي. وبهذه المناسبة أعود واؤكد التزام الحكومة في بيانها الوزاري بالثوابت التالية: – وجوب إتخاذ الإجراءات اللازمة كافة لتحرير جميع الأراضي اللبنانيّة من الاحتلال الإسرائيلي وبسط سيادة الدولة على جميع… — Nawaf Salam نواف سلام (@nawafasalam) May 25, 2025 Salam also emphasized Lebanon's right to self-defense under the United Nations Charter should any aggression occur. Additionally, Salam stressed the importance of mobilizing Arab and international support to rebuild areas devastated by Israeli attacks. Sheikh Ali Al-Khatib Praises Southern Voters' National Responsibility Deputy Head of Lebanon's Higher Islamic Shiite Council, Sheikh Ali Al-Khatib, expressed satisfaction with the electoral process in southern Lebanon, commending the people's national resolve despite the harsh conditions imposed by relentless Israeli aggression. His Eminence saluted southern communities for their daily affirmation of attachment to their land and readiness to defend it, regardless of the enemy's brutality. 'Despite failures by the authorities to fulfill their national duties, southern voters demonstrated resilience and defied occupation by participating in elections, undeterred by pressure, intimidation, or siege.' Sheikh Al-Khatib concluded by saluting 'everyone who contributed to the achievement of this achievement, from officials, employees, and citizens. He also saluted all the martyrs and mujahideen who achieved the victory of May 25, 2000.' General Ibrahim Calls for National Reconstruction as True Liberation Lebanon's Former General Security Chief, Major General Abbas Ibrahim, commemorated Lebanon's Liberation Day as 'one of the noblest chapters of dignity and sacrifice.' In a post on 'X', he lamented the heavy losses and destruction caused by recent intense warfare that engulfed the country, with Israeli occupation persisting over certain Lebanese stances. في #ذكرى_التحرير في الخامس والعشرين من أيار العام 2000، نستحضر احدى أنبل محطات العزّ والتضحيات والكرامة الوطنية. ولكن هذه الذكرى تحل هذا العام مثقلة بالخسائر بعد حرب شرسة امتدت من أقصى الوطن إلى أقصاه. نستقبل هذا العيد وقلوبنا دامية على من فقدنا وعلى بلدات أحرقتها النيران، فيما… — اللواء عباس إبراهيم (@MGAbbasIbrahim) May 25, 2025 General Ibrahim stressed that this anniversary is not only a time for celebration but also a critical call to prioritize the reconstruction of the south and all affected areas through a clear national plan. He emphasized that true liberation means rebuilding the land for its rightful owners and reaffirming national sovereignty. 'The people of the south resisted not just for their region but for all Lebanon,' Ibrahim noted, underscoring that protecting the land and rebuilding what was destroyed is a collective national responsibility that cannot be delayed. Despite ongoing pain, he expressed hope for a just state that unites all Lebanese around their rights and recognizes that every inch of Lebanese soil is a sacred trust. 'What was lost can be restored when wills unite and the national interest prevails,' General Abbas concluded.
Arab News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
South Lebanon votes in municipal elections that will test support for Hezbollah
BEIRUT: Residents of southern Lebanon voted Saturday in the country's municipal elections that will test support for Hezbollah in the predominantly Shiite areas, months after the end of the destructive Israel-Hezbollah is running in an alliance with the Amal group of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and both are expected to win mayoral races and the majority of seats in municipal councils. Both groups already won many municipalities Lebanon is the fourth and last district to vote in the elections since May 4. Among those who voted Saturday were Hezbollah members wounded in the Sept. 17, 2024, explosions of thousands of pagers that blew up near-simultaneously in an operation carried out by Israel. More than a dozen were killed and nearly 3,000 wounded.'The will of life is stronger than death and the will of construction is stronger than destruction,' President Joseph Aoun said during a tour of south Lebanon Saturday. He told reporters in his hometown of Aaichiyeh that he voted for the first time in 40 vote came two days after Israel's air force carried out intense airstrikes in different parts of south of villages and towns on the border with Israel, including the village of Kfar Kila that was almost completely destroyed during the war, cast their ballots at polling stations set up in the nearby city of Nabatiyeh. Residents of other border villages cast their ballots in the port city of Tyre.'Southerners are proving again that they are with the choice of resistance,' Hezbollah legislator Ali Fayad, who represents border villages, said in cash-strapped government has been scrambling to secure international funds for the war reconstruction, which the World Bank estimates at over $11 began firing rockets at Israel on Oct. 8, 2023, one day after a deadly Hamas-led incursion into southern Israel sparked the war in Gaza. Israel responded with shelling and airstrikes in Lebanon that escalated into a full-blown war that left more than 4,000 dead in Lebanon and more than 80 soldiers and 47 civilians in Israel. A US-brokered ceasefire went into effect in late November.
Nahar Net
7 days ago
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Berri urges southerners to 'vote heavily' on Saturday
by Naharnet Newsdesk 22 May 2025, 14:46 Speaker Nabih Berri on Thursday called on southerners to vote heavily in Saturday's municipal and mayoral polls, especially in towns near the border, to tell Israel that 'these dear towns will only be Lebanese.' 'The human is Lebanon's capital and participation in everything that creates the life of the state and society is the path toward freedom, justice and development,' Berri said in an appeal. 'On May 24 you are urged to return to your land and homes, the same as you did in the first moments after the end of the brutal Israeli aggression,' the Speaker added. Addressing the supporters of Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, Berri said: 'Vote heavily, especially in the front line towns, to produce their municipal and mayoral councils and stress through them to the Israeli occupier and its hostile machine that these dear towns will only be Lebanese for their residents and a space for life, not a scorched land.' 'We will rebuild them and they will not become a buffer zone no matter the sacrifices,' the Speaker added. Berri's appeal comes amid an intensification of Israeli attacks on vehicles carrying Hezbollah members in recent days. The Lebanese state has been told by influential countries, topped by the United States, that there are security 'guarantees' for carrying out the municipal and mayoral elections in south Lebanon on Saturday, despite the daily Israeli attacks that the South is witnessing, the Nidaa al-Watan newspaper reported on Wednesday. President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met on Tuesday and 'their discussions focused on Saturday's juncture and the need to exert utmost efforts to secure its success, amid the presence of fears that Israel might stage military actions,' the daily added. Interior Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar visited Sidon on Tuesday and hoped the municipal and mayoral elections in the South will be an occasion for the state to 'restore its presence and stress its sovereignty in the South.' Hoping contacts with the ceasefire monitoring committee will lead to 'a calm electoral day on Saturday,' the minister said: 'Anyhow, we are not awaiting guarantees, but we are determined to hold the elections and practice our sovereignty and presence in this dear part of our land.' Asked about the impact of any Israeli attack on the electoral process, the minister said: 'If any violation or attack happens, the decision is clear: continuing the electoral process and dealing with the situation on the ground.'
