Lebanese Parliament Speaker Rejects Buffer Zones and Negotiations Under Fire

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri rejected direct negotiations with Israel under fire, noting that “seven rounds of talks” had yielded no results, but rather “expanded the areas of occupation, increased destruction, and raised the number of martyrs,” while affirming his rejection of the “framework agreement” and any secret addenda.

In a speech marking the 48th anniversary of the disappearance of Imam Musa al-Sadr, Berri drew several red lines, most notably that “the Lebanese army is a red line,” rejecting any questioning of its role or the establishment of “a buffer zone or security belt in southern Lebanon under any pretext.” He also stressed that rebuilding the south is “the state’s responsibility” and that its geography “does not accept partition between the north and south of the Litani River.”

Berri warned against turning the war with Israel into an internal conflict, affirming that “what Israel seeks is not (Hezbollah) or its weapons, nor (Amal Movement) or the Shia community, but rather Lebanon itself, targeting its unity and national cohesion,” and calling for “not to squander Lebanon in internal wars.” He reaffirmed commitment to the “Taif Agreement” and rejected partition and federalism.