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Alsharq Tribune- Sarah Benkraouda
Speaker Nabih Berri on Saturday called on political parties to show unity against ongoing Israeli violations, and expressed surprise at the absence of a unified stance.
“What is neither understandable nor justifiable is that the Lebanese people do not have a unified stance regarding what Israel has done and is doing, and what it intends to do to Lebanon and the Lebanese people,” Berri said during a meeting with the Council of the Order of Press Editors led by Joseph Kossaifi in Ain El-Tineh.
“Give me unity, and then Lebanon will have nothing to fear, no matter the challenges and from whatever direction they come from,” he noted. “Lebanon has done everything required regarding the ceasefire agreement in southern Litani, where the Lebanese army has deployed more than 9,000 soldiers and is carrying out its full duties in this area.”
“But, where and when has Israel adhered to a single clause of this agreement?” he asked. “This is the aggressive nature of Israel.”
Asked about Israeli claims that Hezbollah is rebuilding and reorganizing its structure, Berri said: “It is entirely normal for any party, movement, or political entity to rebuild and reorganize itself. After the Israeli aggression, Hezbollah is fully entitled to do so.”
As for allegations of weapons smuggling by sea, land, or air, they are false and baseless, he noted. On the renewed Saudi and Arab engagement with Lebanon, the Speaker said: “Lebanon belongs to all Arabs.
Our hand has always been, and remains, extended to all our Arab brothers.” Berri affirmed that his relationship with Saudi Arabia has never been severed.
The Speaker revealed that for over 12 years, some parties have been inciting Washington to impose sanctions on him. “So be it,” he said. Berri also stressed that parliamentary elections scheduled for May 2026 will be held on schedule, with no postponement or extension, and that there is absolutely no fear of internal strife.
He said the electoral law is a fundamental issue mentioned four times in the Constitution, and that such law can only be reached through consensus.
While the majority of Lebanon’s political parties have kicked off their preparations for next year's parliamentary elections, debate continues to rage over how many MPs expatriates will be able to vote for.
During the 2022 elections, the expats were able to cast their vote for 128 candidates, while their options for the 2026 elections are being limited to six.
Asked about the depositors' funds and what is expected from the Parliament in terms of legislation, Berri assured that “deposits are sacred,” and that “no law that undermines anyone's deposit can pass.”
