Lebanon opposes creation of buffer zones in south

Lebanon categorically opposes the establishment of any buffer zones or security belts in the country's south, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said, stressing that responsibility for defending the region and rebuilding its infrastructure rests solely with the Lebanese state.

Berri reaffirmed Lebanon's commitment to maintaining security in the south through the Lebanese army, in coordination with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

“Civil peace, national unity and the Lebanese army are red lines that must not be crossed,” Berri said.

The parliament speaker also reiterated Beirut's refusal to conduct direct negotiations with Israel “under fire,” saying previous rounds of consultations had failed to produce results.

Berri said Lebanon had exercised its democratic right to reject the proposed Framework Agreement and ruled out any concessions on matters of sovereignty, regardless of the pretext or any secret annexes.

He called on Lebanese citizens to close ranks in the face of what he described as existential risks, adhere strictly to the Taif Agreement, which ended Lebanon's civil war, and overcome political, partisan and sectarian divisions.

“Israel does not need Hezbollah's weapons, but rather internal divisions in Lebanon,” Berri said, warning against efforts to draw Lebanon into renewed internal conflicts.

By Tamilla Hasanova