Berri not opposed to Aoun and Salam's course but not optimistic about outcome
"He who is admired by Saudi Arabia is admired by the whole world, and it seems Saudi Arabia admires me more than some Lebanese people," Speaker Nabih Berri has said.
"I've always said it, and I still say it: we in Lebanon need a tripartite guarantee comprised of Saudi Arabia, the United States and Iran," said Berri in an interview with the Asas Media news portal.
He added: "My relationship with President Joseph Aoun is excellent. We disagree on some political points, but we are in constant contact. Before his trip to Washington, he called me and asked, 'What do you advise me to do?' I told him, 'I advise you on two things: solidifying the ceasefire and ensuring a complete Israeli withdrawal, and the return of the people to their villages and homes.'"
"When he returned from Washington, I called him to congratulate him on his safe return, and I will visit him soon. My relationship with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam is continuous and filled with affection," Berri said.
The Speaker does not oppose the current political course of action taken by Aoun and Salam, but he is "not optimistic about achieving decisive positive results. His pessimism stems from the issue of time," Asas Media said.
"What is happening in Zawtar al-Gharbiysh is the biggest proof of this. People waited for days before they could temporarily enter their villages, and the Israeli attacks are still ongoing. How much longer will it take to achieve a complete Israeli withdrawal and the return of the southerners to their land?" Berri explained.
Source: Naharnet
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