Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri met at the second presidential headquarters in Ain al-Tineh with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides along with their accompanying delegation. The meeting lasted about an hour and included a discussion on the general conditions in Lebanon and the region in light of Israel's continued aggression against Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, as well as the Syrian displaced persons crisis and its implications.
During the meeting, Berri thanked Europe for its contribution and involvement in the context of UNIFIL forces on land and at sea, appreciating von der Leyen and the Cypriot President's visit, which is of great importance during the current phase Lebanon and the region are experiencing. He emphasized to his guests that Lebanon does not seek war and has remained committed to the rules of engagement since the onset of the aggression against it, which Israel continues to violate, targeting the depth of Lebanon, its villages, and southern border towns. He noted that Israel has not spared civilians, journalists, agricultural areas, or ambulances in its aggression, employing internationally banned weapons.
Berri stated that "Lebanon is awaiting the success of international efforts to stop the aggression against Gaza, which will inevitably reflect on Lebanon and the region, and at that point, it will be ready to continue discussions regarding the implementation of UN Resolution 1701, which Lebanon has adhered to and remains committed to." He also highlighted the significance of UNRWA's role, urging countries that halted their funding to reconsider their decision, given the importance of the organization's role for Palestinian refugees.
Regarding the Syrian displaced persons, he deemed the meeting today as highly practical, proposing the formation of a committee between Lebanon and the European Union to follow up on the visit and the accompanying meetings, a suggestion that was welcomed by the European Commission President. Berri reiterated the importance of communication from all relevant parties regarding the displaced persons file with the Syrian government, which now has a presence across most of its territories.
A formal reception ceremony was held for the European Commission President and the Cypriot President upon their arrival at the second presidential headquarters in Ain al-Tineh, where Berri welcomed them at the entrance and reviewed a group of Internal Security Forces personnel.
