Today, Tuesday, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri followed the developments in the south in light of the escalating Israeli aggression, the latest of which was the crime targeting civilians and children on the road to Aitaroun Ainata, as well as the situation in the Tyre area, in addition to political updates during his meeting with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati.
After a meeting lasting about an hour, Mikati responded to a question regarding what he would convey to the American envoy Amos Hochstein, saying: "The positions are unified regarding the need to cease fire in the Gaza Strip as soon as possible, to stop the bleeding that is occurring, and to pressure Israel to halt its provocations in southern Lebanon, especially its attacks on civilians."
Regarding scheduling a government session to extend the term of the army commander, Mikati stated: "President Berri and I are very keen on the military institution, and certainly in being cautious there is safety, and in haste, there is regret."
Additionally, Berri discussed political developments during his meeting with former Deputy Speaker Eli الفرزلي, who stated after the meeting: "Of course, the main reason for the President's visit was to learn his perspective on what is happening in the regional arena in general, but at the same time, to assess his position regarding the statement of His Eminence concerning the leadership of the army, and the necessity of not having a vacuum in the military institution; this is something we personally consider vital to avoid a vacuum."
He added: "President Berri’s position from the very beginning has been that the President of the Republic should have a central role in appointing the army commander in Lebanon, and it is unacceptable to marginalize the President of the Republic in this term. However, the President believes that the issue of ensuring no vacuum may lie in delaying the retirement of the army commander until after the election of a President of the Republic, which is a natural act and aims to prevent creating a rift, based on diluting the military institution's position and role, especially in these challenging circumstances that the country is experiencing."
He concluded: "I reiterate our personal view on the issue of delaying retirement until a President of the Republic is elected. I believe that the President's atmosphere may be preparing for this to prevent any actions that would delay this process, particularly given that legislation should be recognized by all, and setting the agenda is an absolute right of the Parliament according to the constitution, and it is an absolute right of the Speaker of the Parliament and the Bureau of the Parliament to prepare the agenda and set the items that they deem appropriate without any attempt to intimidate this will or impose conditions from here and there. Therefore, I believe that the President's atmosphere regarding not allowing a vacuum in the institution is being dealt with in a very rational manner and should be handled on this basis in matters concerning the army's leadership without creating a vacuum in the military institution."
On another note, the Parliament Speaker made a phone call to the family of the martyr Samira Abdul Hussein Ayoub (Um Adnan), offering condolences for her martyrdom along with her three granddaughters, who were killed in the Israeli airstrike targeting them in their vehicle on the road to Aitaroun Blida.
