Beirut: House Speaker Nabih Berri engaged in discussions with U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin at the second presidency headquarters in Ain El-Tineh. The meeting included a U.S. parliamentary delegation comprising members from both Republican and Democratic parties, with U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Lisa Johnson and Speaker Berri's media advisor Ali Hamdan also in attendance.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the discussions focused on the current developments in Lebanon and the broader region, particularly the role of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force (UNIFIL) operating in southern Lebanon. Speaker Berri brought attention to the necessity of renewing UNIFIL's mandate, which has been in effect since 1978 under Resolution 425 and was expanded in 2006 under Resolution 1701.
Berri highlighted ongoing challenges faced by UNIFIL, emphasizing the persistent opposition from Israeli forces that refuse to adhere to international legitimacy. He noted that Israel continues to conduct military operations and violations not only in the designated area south of the Litani River, where Resolution 1701 is applicable, but across the entirety of Lebanon.
During the meeting, the Speaker underscored the importance of international and particularly American efforts to enforce compliance with the ceasefire agreement and Resolution 1701, which was agreed upon in November 2024. Berri expressed concern over counter-efforts that seem to undermine the peacekeeping mission, pointing out the paradox of such actions given that the peacekeeping force's leadership structure includes an American general supported by a French general. This contradiction, he suggested, raises questions about the commitment to maintaining the ceasefire and ending hostilities.