Why it matters:
Berri’s remarks come as Israeli violations continue along the southern frontier, heightening tensions and fueling concerns inside Lebanon that Tel Aviv is seeking to expand its aggression despite international calls for de-escalation.
The big picture:
In recent days, public debate in Lebanon has focused on the appointment of Simon Karam, a civilian negotiator designated by President Joseph Aoun to lead the Lebanese delegation to the UN “Ceasefire Monitoring Committee.”
The move has prompted questions over whether the new channel could be exploited by Israel for political maneuvering.
Lebanese officials maintain that any engagement must remain strictly technical and limited to security matters.
What he’s saying:
Nabih Berri:
“The mission of Simon Karam is purely technical, not political. I only recognize the technical aspect of this assignment.”
“What matters is not the name, but the result. Will he stop Israel’s war, its aggression, and force the occupiers to withdraw? If that is the mission, then there is no problem. Otherwise, I do not recognize it.”
“I was the first to propose involving civilians in this mechanism, but strictly within a technical framework — nothing beyond that.”
Lebanese Information Minister Paul Morkos reiterated that Karam has been mandated only to address security-related issues with the Israeli side.
President Aoun described the first round of talks, led under a civilian chair, as “positive,” saying the effort must continue “to prevent the specter of a second war.”
Key points:
- Lebanese leaders reject any political negotiations with Israel, insisting that all discussions must be confined to ceasefire implementation and border security.
- Berri underscored that Israel must end its violations and withdraw from occupied Lebanese lands, including disputed border points repeatedly targeted by the Israeli military.
- The speaker emphasized that Lebanon’s priority is protecting its sovereignty and preventing Israel from imposing new conditions through pressure or military escalation.
Go deeper:
Israel has intensified cross-border attacks in recent months, prompting condemnation from Lebanese resistance factions and warnings of a wider confrontation.
Mojtaba Darabi - ahmad shirzadian
