Lebanon capable of defending itself: Parliament speaker tells EU Chief

By Al Mayadeen English
12 Sep 2024 17:39

Lebanon's Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri reiterates Beirut's right to defend itself against Israeli aggression during a meeting with Josep Borrell.

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EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell, left, in a meeting with Lebanon's Parliament Speaker, Nabih Berri, right, in Beirut, Lebanon, September 12, 2024 (National News Agency)

"Lebanon does not want war, but is very capable of defending itself and has the right to," Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said on Thursday.

During a meeting with European Union Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell, Berri said "You have seen for yourselves the Israeli arrogance and aggression against Lebanon while visiting the UNIFIL forces in al-Naqoura in southern Lebanon."

As for internal affairs, Berri addressed the Lebanese presidency, stressing that work and efforts are ongoing to achieve presidential prerogative through last year's initiative proposal, and added that the interim government was working under its constitutional authority, particularly because of the presidential vacancy.

On his part, Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib affirmed Lebanon's commitment to UN Resolution 1701, stressing that security cannot be achieved through a military solution regarding the Palestinian cause.

Moreover, in a joint press conference with Borrell, Bou Habib stressed that the EU could play an active role in the Syrian refugee issue in Lebanon.

Borrell, in turn, addressed the "horrific tragedy", referring to the war on Gaza, and condemned the brutal murder of civilians, further stating that it forms a constant threat to regional stability, particularly in Lebanon.

"The drums of war have not stopped" since Borrell's last visit to Lebanon in January, Borrell said, stressing "the need to work to reduce military tensions", and urging "all parties to follow this path."

He further shared concerns regarding the latest regional developments, noting that they confirmed fears of further escalations and more extensive humanitarian suffering.

In addition to meeting Berri and Bou Habib, Borrell met with the caretaker Prime Minister of Lebanon, Najib Mikati, at the Grand Serail.

Hezbollah ops. increasingly worry 'Israel' about future: Safieddine

The Israeli aggression against the Lebanese South has not ceased since October. Hezbollah has been carrying out military operations against Israeli assets in the occupied North, in defense of the Lebanese South, and in support of the people of Gaza and their Resistance.

In this context, it is worth noting that the head of Hezbollah's Executive Council, Sayyed Hashem Safieddine, said that the Israeli enemy, after almost a whole year of its war on Gaza and aggression on South Lebanon, stands lost and confused before its disappointments as it observes its failure to achieve any of its goals.

Speaking on the forty-day memorial service held for martyred leader Sayyed Fouad Shokor, Sayyed Safieddine said that "the occupation is stuck in a deep crisis, evidenced by targeting leaders and civilians alike," adding that "the Resistance fighters are fighting the battle today in Gaza, South Lebanon, and across the entire Ummah with utmost courage as they thwart the enemy's malicious plans."

The fact that the enemy’s goals and schemes in Gaza, South Lebanon, and across the nation will not be achieved is evident, according to Sayyed Safieddine, who confirmed that "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood was a manifestation of the will of the Resistance fighters, which shook the Israeli project to its core and left the Israeli leaders feeling that everything they had built was on its way to destruction.”

He also pointed out that "although the Israeli enemy continues its massacres in the Gaza Strip, it has still to achieve its end goal, which indicates an unusual dysfunction." Sayyed Safieddine added that "the military that once considered itself legendary has failed to achieve its goals despite the ongoing mass destruction, killing, starvation, and siege."

Regarding the operations of the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon that have been ongoing since October 8, 2023, until today against the Israeli occupation, Sayyed Safieddine said that they "deprive the occupation of any sense of security and stability in the north and make it increasingly worried about its future."