Beirut: Speaker of the House, Nabih Berri, on Thursday received Lebanese Kataeb Party leader, MP Sami Gemayel, accompanied by MPs Salim Sayegh, Nadim Gemayel, and Elias Hankach. The meeting focused on political developments and legislative priorities.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, Gemayel emphasized the need for national unity and reaffirmed his party's commitment to exclusive state control over arms, calling for a transition from a state of fragmentation to full Lebanese sovereignty. The lawmaker stressed that all weapons must be under the Lebanese Army's authority, as enshrined in government decisions and the ministerial statement.
Gemayel also denounced recent political rhetoric targeting religious leaders, particularly the Maronite Patriarch, describing such discourse as harmful to reconciliation efforts. He acknowledged Berri's role as a moderating voice and called for continued cooperation despite political differences.
Separately, Berri met with Ambassador Hossam Zaki, Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League, who reiterated the League's support for Lebanon's sovereignty and emphasized the importance of Israeli compliance with ceasefire commitments. Zaki also condemned any plans to forcibly displace Gaza's population, calling such actions 'categorically rejected' by Arab and international actors.
In the afternoon, Speaker Berri met with Brigadier General Andr© Rahal, advisor to President Joseph Aoun, for further political coordination.