Lebanon House Speaker says talks with US envoy 'good and constructive'
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Lebanese top officials meet with US envoy Thomas Barrack and discuss Lebanon's sovereignty, Hezbollah's arms, and efforts to end Israeli attacks.
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Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (R) meets with US envoy Thomas Barrack in Beirut on July 7, 2025 (AFP)
Lebanese House Speaker Nabih Berri met Monday at Ain el-Tineh Palace with the US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Lebanon and Syria, Thomas Barrack, accompanied by a delegation.
The meeting included the US Ambassador to Lebanon Lisa Johnson and Speaker Berri's media advisor, Ali Hamdan.
The discussion, which extended for over an hour, focused on recent political and field developments in Lebanon and the broader region, the state's National News Agency reported.
Berri described the exchange as "good and constructive - taking into account Lebanon's interests, sovereignty, and the concerns of all Lebanese, as well as Hezbollah's demands."
Hezbollah an integral part of the Lebanese state, says PM
Later in the day, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also met with Barrack at the Grand Serail, where he reaffirmed the Lebanese consensus on confining arms within the state framework, referencing the principles of the Taif Agreement.
He stressed that "Hezbollah is an integral part of the Lebanese state, and its representatives voted on the ministerial statement."
Regarding recent escalations, Salam condemned the Israeli drone attacks on South Lebanon and the Bekaa, emphasizing that such actions are unanimously rejected. He noted ongoing efforts to secure Arab and international diplomatic backing to halt these attacks.
The Lebanese premier revealed that the US envoy received a document from President Joseph Aoun outlining observations shared by both the prime minister and the speaker of Parliament.
He mentioned that "Barrack's paper contains arrangements for halting hostilities and confining weapons, starting with the south."
Salam underscored that the Lebanese state "alone has the choice between war and peace, and this is what we discussed."
Read more: Aoun, Lammy discuss Israeli aggression on Lebanon, Army efforts
US envoy says satisfied with Lebanese response
Earlier on Monday, Barrack expressed satisfaction with the Lebanese authorities' response to an alleged US request to disarm Hezbollah, warning that Lebanon risks falling behind as other regional states move forward.
Lebanese officials, who took office following over a year of confrontations between "Israel" and the Lebanese Resistance group, have pledged to uphold the state's exclusive right to bear arms, while calling on "Israel" to honor the November ceasefire agreement.
Despite these pledges, "Israel" has continued airstrikes on Lebanon. Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem made it clear on Sunday that the group would not disarm under Israeli threats.
Sheikh Qassem reiterated that "Israel" must fully implement the ceasefire, withdraw from occupied areas, cease aggression, release prisoners, and enable post-war reconstruction.
Only then, he said, would the group be prepared to engage in discussions on a national defense strategy, which would include the topic of disarmament.
"I'm unbelievably satisfied with the response," Barrack told a press conference after meeting Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
"It's thoughtful, it's considered. We're creating a go-forward plan," he added. "Now what it takes is a... thrust to the details, which we're going to do. We're both committed to get to the details and get a resolution."
"I'm very, very hopeful."
Barrack highlights regional shifts
Barrack emphasized that Hezbollah "needs to see that there's a future for them, that that road is not harnessed just solely against them."
He also warned that the region is progressing rapidly, stating, "The rest of the region is moving at Mach speed, and you will be left behind."
He encouraged Lebanon to begin talks with "Israel", referencing the recent dialogue between Syria and "Israel" as a model.
