Berri says Amal-Hezbollah 'open to discussion' but national interest non-negotiable
Cabinet convened Tuesday to discuss restricting the possession of weapons to the state, in a session attended by Hezbollah and Amal ministers.
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri was quoted as saying that Amal and Hezbollah are open to any positive discussion but will not accept any decision "that does not take the national interest into account."
Berri's visitors quoted him as saying, in remarks published Tuesday in al-Liwaa newspaper, that his only concern is south Lebanon's reconstruction and the southerners' return to their villages.
President Joseph Aoun had said last week that Lebanon is at "a crucial stage" and must choose "between collapse and stability", linking international support for the crisis-hit country to disarming Hezbollah.
A Lebanese official meanwhile told AFP that "Washington is pressuring Lebanon to make Hezbollah hand over its weapons according to a timetable, but without (the U.S.) providing any guarantees".
Hezbollah "will not hand over its weapons without something in return -- the Americans know this well", the official added, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Source: Naharnet
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