Berri to US, UK Officials: UNIFIL Mandate Renewal Must Be Secured
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri received U.S. Congressmen Darin LaHood and Josh Gottheimer at the Second Presidency headquarters in Ain el-Tineh, in the presence of U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Keith Hanigan and Berri’s media adviser, Ali Hamdan.
The meeting addressed the overall situation in Lebanon and the region, as well as the latest developments on the ground amid Israel’s continued attacks on Lebanon, particularly in the south.
Berri told the delegation that “the main obstacle to implementing the agreement to end the war in Lebanon is Israel’s failure to fulfill its obligations under the agreements reached to end the war.”
He reiterated that “the U.S. administration and President Donald Trump are the only parties capable of exerting pressure on Israel to halt its war on Lebanon,” warning that its continuation “will undoubtedly undermine all efforts and initiatives aimed at enabling the state and its institutions to carry out their responsibilities at all levels.”
The Speaker also praised the assistance provided in support of the Lebanese Army, noting that “there is still time to avoid the mistake of failing to renew the mandate of the UNIFIL force operating in southern Lebanon.”
Berri also met with Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri, with whom he discussed the latest political developments and the situation on the ground.
Mitri presented Berri with a detailed, documented report on the crimes committed and continuing to be committed by Israeli forces in southern Lebanon against people and property.
Berri reiterated that “Lebanon’s right to pursue Israel over its crimes is a sovereign right that must not be relinquished under any circumstances.”
Separately, Berri received the UK’s Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, Major Charlie Collins, and an accompanying military delegation, in the presence of his media adviser, Ali Hamdan.
The British delegation gave a detailed presentation on military cooperation programs and assistance to the Lebanese Army involving several countries friendly to Lebanon.
The meeting also covered the overall situation in Lebanon and the region, as well as the latest developments on the ground amid Israel’s continued attacks on Lebanon, particularly in the south.
Berri reiterated to the delegation that “failure to renew the mandate of UNIFIL, which is tasked with implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701, would be a grave mistake that can still be avoided.”
He stressed “the importance of maintaining a UN umbrella, under the United Nations flag, for any force assisting the Lebanese Army following Israel’s withdrawal from the occupied Lebanese territories.”
