Berri rules out resignation from govt., urges 'highest levels of responsibility'

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has said that the resignation of the ministers of Hezbollah and the Amal Movement is out of the question, noting that “the sensitivity of the extraordinary situations that Lebanon is going through requires all parties to show the highest levels of responsibility and prudence.”

Al-Joumhouria newspaper, which interviewed Berri, said the Speaker’s concern these days is “preventing the latest crisis from turning into a sectarian strife that the Israeli enemy wishes for.”

“That’s why he was keen on pushing for calming the political rhetoric,” the daily added.

Berri’s remarks come after the Lebanese government decided last week to disarm Hezbollah and tasked the army with drawing up a plan to complete the process by year end.

Hezbollah has said it will ignore the cabinet's decision, which came under heavy U.S. pressure, while the group's backer Iran said Saturday it opposed the effort.

Under the November ceasefire that sought to end more than a year of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, arms are to be restricted to Lebanese state institutions.

The government has tasked the army with presenting a plan by the end of August for disarming non-state actors.

On Thursday, the government also discussed a U.S. proposal that includes a timetable for Hezbollah's disarmament.

The government endorsed the introduction of the U.S. text without discussing specific timelines, and called for the deployment of Lebanese troops in border areas.

The ministers of Hezbollah and Amal walked out of both sessions in protest.