Report: Berri backs 'full army role' as he negotiates with Hezbollah

Speaker Nabih Berri has placed himself in a central position between the government and Hezbollah in a calculated attempt to address the concerns of the two sides, sources close to Berri said.

“Berri is present in the state’s equation from a position of partner, not opponent, and he is also keen on activating the role of the military institution in a full manner during this sensitive period, and on maintaining a calculated distance that grants him a margin for positive mediation,” the sources told the Nidaa al-Watan newspaper.

Describing the atmosphere as “tense and delicate,” the sources said Berri is currently “coordinating with the military institution” while “negotiating with Hezbollah.”

“He is preoccupied with the concern of reining in street protests to prevent them from descending into chaos and reaching the point of no return,” the sources added.

Ruling out any attempt to destabilize the government, the sources voiced concern over the possibility of disorder on the streets, adding that “Ain el-Tineh is exerting preemptive efforts to control the tempo.”

“Speaker Berri is showing clear readiness to let the army shoulder its full responsibilities, but that requires simultaneous coordination with Hezbollah, and this is what is being silently worked on at the moment on several levels,” the sources revealed.

“In a thorny and delicate file such as the file of arms, Berri is endorsing the approach of the state and institutions and he knows very well how to balance things: he does not break with the state and he does not get defeated with Hezbollah. He carefully manages the balance and makes sure that the Shiite situation does not turn into a rogue force outside the general national alignment,” the sources added.