Israel's sinister plot to pit Lebanese army against Hezollah won't materialize: Berri

The speaker of the Lebanese parliament has warned that Israel is hatching a sinister plot aimed at pitting the army against the Hezbollah resistance movement, but the scheme will never materialize.

Nabih Berri emphasized on Wednesday that Lebanon's military institutions and resistance fighters will vigilantly prevent Israel from accomplishing its objectives, describing the formation of an "international umbrella group", including major regional and trans-regional actors, as the promising and viable solution for Lebanon's stability.

"Our principal priority is the expulsion of occupiers, not signing American dictates," he stated.

Berri went on to caution that Tel Aviv, through its pressure and demands, is seeking to drag the Lebanese army into a confrontation with Hezbollah, stating that the occupying regime deems this plot to be its main goal.

The top Lebanese legislator expressed hope that such a sinister plot will never materialize, as the Lebanese nation is fully aware of the risks that being drawn into an internal conflict entails, and that the army and Hezbollah will not be exploited to serve Israel's interests.

Berri also stated that Lebanon needs an “international umbrella group" to help achieve a compromise and a final settlement.

He asserted that such a force should include the United States, Saudi Arabia, and the Islamic Republic of Iran, as they are the main guarantors of any durable and lasting settlement.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the Lebanese parliament speaker stressed that the door to reconciliation among Lebanese political factions remains open.

"If there is a readiness for reconciliation, I am ready for it, and no one wants the country to reach a deadlock," he said.

Hezbollah vows continued resistance after ‘shameful’ Lebanon-Israel agreement

A senior Hezbollah lawmaker has strongly rejected a US-mediated framework agreement between Israel and the Lebanese government, describing it as a "humiliation," a "disgrace," and a virtual surrender of Lebanese sovereignty.

Berri went on to express his strong opposition to direct negotiations with Israel, denouncing the US-sponsored framework agreement between the Beirut government and the Israeli regime as a "sedition deal", and a terrible and unjust move against Lebanon.

He pointed out that the ceasefire agreement reached on November 27, 2024, under his supervision, was a different model that led to the deployment of Hezbollah fighters to areas far away from the southern side of the Litani River without the need for direct negotiations with Israel.

Berri underlined that the foremost priority remains protection of national stability and prevention of political disputes from spilling over onto the streets, as this serves as the first line of defense for maintaining domestic peace and serenity.

He also welcomed Arab and international initiatives that would help Lebanon overcome its crises, stressing that any Arab or international effort aimed at bringing the Lebanese nation together and dispelling the specter of division is welcome.

"Preserving national unity, preventing sedition, and safeguarding state institutions are the prime priorities at this critical juncture. In my opinion, the stability of Lebanon forms the basis on which any future political reconciliation must be built," the Lebanese parliament speaker concluded.

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