Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri confirmed to Saudi daily Asharq al-Awsat that he received a written United States proposal as part of the negotiations to end the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
Denying claims that the proposal included a provision allowing the Israeli army freedom of movement in Lebanon, Berri stated firmly, “the Americans as well as others know that such a suggestion is fundamentally unacceptable and not even open for discussion.” He added, “Lebanon will not compromise on its sovereignty.”
Berri also refuted rumors that the proposal included the deployment of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) troops or other foreign forces in Lebanon.
“The proposal contains a provision unacceptable to Lebanon, which is the formation of a supervisory committee to oversee the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, comprising several Western countries.
"There is ongoing debate over an alternative mechanism, but we will not agree to it. There is already a clear mechanism in place that can be reactivated,” Berri noted.
He is referring to the international forces operating in southern Lebanon, tasked with monitoring the implementation of the resolution issued after the 2006 war.
Berri stressed that discussions on these details are underway and noted that "work is progressing, and the atmosphere is positive, but the outcome will determine its success." He also mentioned that the arrival of US envoy Amos Hochstein in Lebanon depends on the progress of these negotiations.
When asked about Israeli strikes targeting his hometown of Tibnine, as well as traditionally supportive areas like Ghobeiri, Chiyah and Borj al-Barajneh, Berri remarked, “It seems Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu believes that pressuring someone will lead to concessions. But he clearly does not know who he is dealing with; such tactics do not work with us.”
Efforts to resolve the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah have entered a new phase of written negotiations for the first time since the war escalated in late September, the newspaper said.
Hezbollah had previously authorized Berri to negotiate on its behalf. Lebanon is expected to respond "very soon" with its own written document, outlining the Lebanese side’s observations on the US proposal.
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