Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri announced that what is sought “by Israel” is sedition in Lebanon, affirming that “the South is an inseparable part of Lebanon.”
Speaking on the anniversary of the disappearance of Imam Musa al-Sadr and his two companions, Berri said that “what is sought by Israel is neither Hezbollah nor its weapons, nor the Amal Movement, nor the Shiite community. What is sought by Israel is sedition, and Lebanon is the target, in its unity and its security and stability.”
He affirmed that “the South is an inseparable part of Lebanon, and the responsibility for its reconstruction rests with the state, while the geography of the South is not an experimental area.”
He added: “We affirm that we exercised our natural right to reject the framework agreement, and we continue to reject it. Seven rounds of negotiations—what was the result? The area of occupation expanded, the scale of destruction increased, and Israel continues its war.”
Berri pointed out that “existential risks do not give anyone the right to act, under any title, whether the framework agreement or any secret annexes.”
He continued: “We renew our adherence to the Taif Agreement and the necessity of implementing all its reform provisions,” stressing that “we will not accept the South becoming a buffer zone or a security belt for any entity.”
Berri stressed his rejection of “waiving Lebanon’s right, as a state, institutions, and individuals, to prosecute Israel for the crimes of genocide, or suspending this right,” saying: “We exercised our democratic right in rejecting the framework agreement, and we remain in the same position.”
He added: “We warned and cautioned against direct negotiations with the Israeli enemy under fire and in the absence of national consensus.”
Berri also stressed that “the Lebanese Army is a red line,” saying: “We reject questioning its role.”
The Parliament Speaker extended “a salute of pride to the Lebanese people in all regions who opened their homes and facilities to provide shelter, and to the brotherly countries that stood, and continue to stand, alongside Lebanon, its South, and its people in order to overcome this fateful stage.”
Meanwhile, Berri expressed his support for “all efforts being made by the Arab brothers and Pakistan to end tensions and establish stability in the Gulf.”
Regarding the disappearance of Imam al-Sadr, Berri said that “the continued policy of non-cooperation by the Libyan authorities places them in the category of complicity and persistence in committing the crime.”
