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.
05 August 2025, 19:37
00
We expect rich countries to give us money and get only a promise in return, but we are unwilling to similarly act (by nationalizing all weapons into the government's possession) in return for only a promise of something in the future? Were the government to follow Hezbollah's formulation, Lebanon would seem to be choosing to respond "no thank you" to the offers of help, when the vast majority of Lebanese unconditionally need the help on offer.
05 August 2025, 19:47
00
Hezbollah via Nabih Berri was begging Amos Hochstein to stop the ass-whooping. Berri himself brokered the de facto surrender deal. The Shiite duo's ministers with the full cabinet, in the Hezbollah controlled Mikati government, unanimously voted to approve that deal.
05 August 2025, 19:47
00
Hezbollah via Nabih Berri was begging Amos Hochstein to stop the ass-whooping. Berri himself brokered the de facto surrender deal. The Shiite duo's ministers with the full cabinet, in the Hezbollah controlled Mikati government, unanimously voted to approve that deal.
