The bleak picture in the region, along with the necessities of the Lebanese interior, confirms the greater need for electing a president for the republic, according to Speaker of the House Nabih Berri. He rejected the idea promoted in some circles that "the country can function without a president," stating to "Al-Jumhuriya": "This is nonsense; the president of the republic is a necessity for the country and must be elected as soon as possible." When asked about the actions he will undertake concerning the presidential election, Berri emphasizes that "he has no initiative, whether dialogical or otherwise. Only consultations to reaffirm to everyone that the least requirement and national responsibility of all parties at this stage is to reorganize and bolster our internal situation, starting with electing a president for the republic."
Berri continues to monitor developments in the south amid the intensified Israeli assaults on Lebanese territories and civilians in safe towns, affirming that "the resistance, in its confrontation with the enemy in the south, has, since day one until now, not deviated from the rules of engagement, while Israel deliberately breaches these rules and expands the scope of its attacks." Regarding the resistance's escalating response to these assaults, Berri stated, "A pound needs two pounds."
When asked if there are external efforts being made to de-escalate the situation, Berri replied, "Everyone is communicating and calling for calm, whereas the only thing required is for Israel to be compelled to stop its aggression." He had previously responded to the calls from envoys he met, urging Lebanon to avoid escalating confrontations and sliding into a wide war with Israel by confirming "that the danger of escalation and the outbreak of a wide war does not stem from Lebanon; rather, the real source of danger is Israel."
