Lebanese Speaker Berri: National Unity is Lebanon’s Strongest Defense Against Aggression
Beirut, Lebanon – Nabih Berri, Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, has emphasized the paramount importance of internal unity and national cohesion as Lebanon confronts ongoing aggression. Speaking in a recent interview, Berri underscored that a unified front is the most effective shield against external threats and a crucial deterrent to prevent further escalation and occupation.
Assessing the Threat Landscape
Berri addressed the deliberate escalation of hostilities by Israeli military authorities, highlighting their declared intentions to target ambulances and hospitals, expand a so-called “buffer zone” beyond the Litani River, and displace a significant portion of the Lebanese population. He also pointed to the targeting of the Lebanese army and UNIFIL forces, as well as the extensive destruction of over 30 border villages. The Speaker questioned the predictability of Israeli intentions given this pattern of aggression, suggesting it points towards a continued insistence on “slaughter and destruction” that disregards international humanitarian law. These actions, he stated, appear aimed at breaking the will of the Lebanese people and deterring them from defending their land against occupation.
The Imperative of National Unity
In light of these challenges, Berri stressed that the primary necessity for Lebanon lies in fostering internal peace and strengthening national unity. “Yes, national unity and the purification of political and religious discourse from anything that could open the doors to internal sedition, from which only the Israeli enemy benefits,” he stated. Berri also emphasized the critical need for a shared understanding that the current aggression is not directed at a specific sect but targets Lebanon’s very essence and role.
Unity as a Strategy for Peace
The Speaker posited that unity is the “primary factor” in curtailing the duration of aggression and preventing occupation. He also called for exceptional diplomatic efforts directed at the international community to restore its functionality and commitment. Berri reiterated the adherence to the “mechanism committee” as the established framework and mechanism for achieving a ceasefire and ensuring the full implementation of the November 2024 agreement. This unified approach, he believes, is vital for Lebanon’s security and sovereignty.
