Latest news with #NabihBerri
Asharq Al-Awsat
13 hours ago
- General
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Israel Resumes Airstrikes North of Litani Amid Hezbollah Disarmament Talks
Israel has resumed heavy airstrikes north of the Litani river amid discussions among Lebanese leaders on a possible agreement to disarm Hezbollah. President Joseph Aoun met on Friday with Speaker Nabih Berri at the Baabda Palace. Berri described the talks as "excellent' without giving further details. Aoun also held Friday a security meeting with the Minister of Defense, the Army Commander, and the Intelligence chief to discuss the security situation in the country, mainly in south Lebanon as Israel continues to carry out attacks that hinder the deployment of the Lebanese army. The officials also discussed the disarmament of Palestinian camps in Lebanon, which are set to start in mid-June in three Beirut camps. For the first time in three weeks, Israel carried out more than a dozen airstrikes overnight Thursday to Friday in south and east Lebanon, in areas lying north of the Litani river. The Israeli army said it targeted 'several military sites and terrorist infrastructure belonging to ... Hezbollah across Lebanon.' 'Among the targets was terrorist infrastructure containing combat equipment in the Sidon area, which had recently witnessed Hezbollah attempts to rebuild after it had been bombed in the past,' the Israeli army said. It added that Israel will 'continue to operate to eliminate any threat' and 'prevent any attempt by ... Hezbollah to establish itself.' The escalation came as Lebanese officials hold talks to limit illegitimate arms to state control, an issue that is set to be discussed by US Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus, who is set to visit Beirut next week. Development and Liberation bloc MP Michel Moussa told a local radio station that the authorities haven't been informed yet about the timing of the visit or the agenda of her meetings. 'Ortagus is scheduled to follow up on discussions on major issues such as the implementation of Resolution 1701, reforms and the renewal of the UNIFIL mandate by the UN Security Council next August,' Moussa said.
Nahar Net
a day ago
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Berri voices support for UNIFIL after recent clashes with locals
by Naharnet Newsdesk 8 hours Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri voiced support for United Nations peacekeepers after recent clashes between the peacekeepers and locals in south Lebanon, the latest in the southern town of Yater. "I support the UNIFIL peacekeepers whether they are wrong or right. Locals, even if they are supporters of Amal or Hezbollah, should try not to overreact," Berri told local al-Joumhouria newspaper in remarks published Friday. "We know that Israel is against the UNIFIL's presence in south Lebanon and has targeted them many times. This alone is enough for us to support their presence," he said, adding that "their presence has also made a positive impact on the economy in southern villages." Clashes have increased in recent weeks, with residents insisting that any UNIFIL patrol should be accompanied by Lebanese Army troops. The U.N. mission was created to oversee the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon after Israel's 1978 invasion and today UNIFIL operates in southern Lebanon at the request of the Lebanese government and under a mandate from the U.N. Security Council, but Hezbollah supporters in Lebanon frequently accuse the U.N. mission of collusion with Israel. Israel meanwhile accuses the peacekeepers of turning a blind eye to alleged Hezbollah military activities in southern Lebanon.
LBCI
a day ago
- Business
- LBCI
Between resistance and diplomacy: UNIFIL's mandate under pressure amid Israeli objections and southern tensions
Report by Yazbek Wehbe, English adaptation by Mariella Succar UNIFIL forces in southern Lebanon are facing pressure from two fronts: Israel, which questions the mission's continued relevance, and some residents who oppose the peacekeepers' movements into towns without coordination with the Lebanese Army. Tensions have escalated over the past two weeks, prompting Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri to urge southerners to 'avoid any mistakes with UNIFIL that could be used by those seeking to end its mission.' With exactly two months to go before the mandate renewal, the situation remains unclear. Tel Aviv is not in favor of UNIFIL's continued presence and, at best, supports a drastic change to its mission—an approach backed by Washington. France, along with Italy and Spain, which contribute the largest number of troops, opposes any major changes to the mandate. Lebanon's Foreign Ministry has launched a series of diplomatic contacts aimed at securing support for maintaining UNIFIL's current mandate, troop levels, and funding. Beirut argues that this transitional period following the recent war requires UNIFIL's continued cooperation with the Lebanese Army, particularly in mine clearance and in supporting civilians through social and economic development programs. Russia and China already backed Lebanon's position. Beirut is also counting on support from France, which is seen as sympathetic. France holds the so-called 'penholder' role on the U.N. Security Council for the UNIFIL file, meaning it drafts and negotiates relevant resolutions. The United Kingdom, for its part, remains somewhere between the French and American positions. A French diplomatic source told LBCI that the current context is not suitable for changing UNIFIL's mandate. However, technical and operational adjustments may be introduced, which could potentially affect troop contributions from countries with smaller deployments. Budget constraints are also in focus, especially following the U.S. decision to reduce its funding to the United Nations. The source noted that coordination with Lebanon's Foreign Ministry on the renewal process began weeks ago, and once Beirut presents its position paper, France is expected to lend its support. As the Israeli lobby moves swiftly to build momentum inside the United Nations, Lebanon is still preparing its proposal. But time is quickly running out for Beirut—pressure is mounting to act fast.
Al Manar
a day ago
- Politics
- Al Manar
Speaker Berri Rejects Clashes with UNIFIL, Says Lebanon Fully Adhered to Ceasefire
Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri voiced rejection to any kind of clashes between Lebanese citizens and UNIFIL forces in southern Lebanon. In remarks published by Al-Jomhouriyah Newspaper on Friday, Speaker Berri said the UNIFIL movements on the ground must be coordinated with the Lebanese Army and the international forces must be accompanied by the national army. 'However, if this doesn't happen sometimes, overreaction should be avoided,' he said, as quoted by the paper. In this context, Speaker Berri stressed the 'need to address any misunderstanding calmly and wisely,' noting that the 'UNIFIL was subjected to several Israeli attacks during the latest war on Lebanon.' 'We know that the Israeli enemy does not want it to remain in south Lebanon, and that is enough for us to stand with it.' The Lebanese speaker affirmed that reconstruction is a top priority. 'It should be a priority for the government,' he explained, adding that he 'counts on the Council of the South playing a key role in monitoring the reconstruction efforts and accelerating its stages.' Speaker Berri stressed, meanwhile that Lebanon has 'fully adhered to the ceasefire agreement regarding dismantling weapons south of the Litani River.' On the other hand, he pointed to the importance of the municipal elections held in south Lebanon last week in defiance of the difficult circumstances resulting from the Israeli aggression. He noted that the elected municipalities will have to play an effective role in the reconstruction project when it will be launched. Asked about the relation with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Speaker Berri said that the premier's tone sets the tone. 'He brings the heat, we'll match it; he stays cool, so will we.'
LBCI
2 days ago
- General
- LBCI
Berri meets UN envoy Geir Pedersen to discuss regional developments
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri received U.N. Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen at the second presidency headquarters in Ain el-Tineh in the presence of U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert. The meeting covered the latest political and security developments in Lebanon and the broader region, with discussions focusing on evolving regional dynamics and their potential implications.
