Today, Wednesday, Speaker of the House Nabih Berri chaired a meeting for the "Development and Liberation" parliamentary bloc in Ain al-Tineh, dedicated to discussing the developments of the general situation and political and field updates, in light of Israel's ongoing aggression against the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, as well as legislative matters.
Following the meeting, the bloc issued the following statement: "Firstly, regarding the ongoing Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, which has entered its third month, resulting in systematic destruction of cities, camps, medical, educational, and religious institutions, as well as all aspects of life in the Gaza Strip, accompanied by the deliberate killing of women and children, reaching the level of genocide and ethnic cleansing against the Palestinian people in Gaza and its provinces. This is mirrored by attacks on the residential areas in the southern Lebanese villages and towns bordering the occupied Palestine, where journalists, civilians, and sites of the Lebanese army and UNIFIL are not spared. The bloc renews its support and solidarity with the Palestinian people in their legendary steadfastness and brave resistance against Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and Jerusalem, as well as all historical Palestinian territories."
At the same time, it reiterates "its call for both the Arab and international communities to take immediate and urgent action to stop the Israeli killing and genocidal machine and to protect the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, rejecting any disguised attempts under any title for transfer or resettlement projects."
Regarding the "Israeli aggression" against Lebanon, the bloc extends "salutations of honor and respect to our steadfast people in the villages facing the aggression, along with the highest praises and condolences to the families of the martyr-resisters, journalists, civilians, and soldiers of the Lebanese army, who confirm through their steadfastness, martyrdom, and resistance the right of Lebanon to defend its land and sovereignty by all available means. In this context, the bloc calls on the government and relevant ministries to assume their political, service, and health responsibilities without delay, in providing all necessities for the steadfastness of the citizens and the displaced in their places of residence, and to address the international community to obligate the Israeli entity to stop its threats and aggression against Lebanon and its sovereignty on land, sea, and air, and to halt its violations of the terms of Resolution 1701, which we affirm Lebanon's commitment to and reject any attempt to amend under any pretext."
It continued: "Secondly, the bloc discussed the agenda of the legislative session and other legislative matters, making appropriate decisions regarding them. Thirdly and finally: on the eve of the blessed holidays, particularly Christmas and New Year's, the bloc extends its warmest congratulations and wishes to all Lebanese, especially to the members of the Christian sects, hoping that these occasions will carry the values and meanings that serve as a platform for everyone to draw lessons and serve as guidelines for a new birth for Lebanon, characterized by unity, convergence, and dialogue for Lebanon and for humanity."
President Berri also followed up on the general situation and political and field developments in the south and the region during his meeting with former minister Ghazi al-Aryidi.
