Lebanon's Speaker of the Parliament, Nabih Berri, emphasized that "Lebanon, in its role and message, is an empire where the sun never sets, and it needs, both domestically and among its expatriates, to enhance a culture of moderation that demands more courage from its advocates and believers to cling to it in the face of the extremism that is catastrophically and dangerously invading the world. One of its ugly manifestations was what recently occurred during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. That scene is not just an insult to Christians; it is also an affront to both Christianity and Islam. The best evidence of this can be found in a whole section referenced in the last verses of Surah Al-Ma'idah in the Holy Quran."
During a meeting at the second presidential headquarters in Ain al-Tineh with a delegation from the Lebanese Cultural University in the World, led by its global president Abbas Fawaz and the president of the Ivory Coast office Haidar Salman, Berri stated: "My testimony to expatriates is biased, and therefore I affirm that Lebanese expatriation, with its cultural, spiritual, heritage, human, and demographic richness, is not a second Lebanon, but rather the homeland in its entirety, especially the expatriation in the Ivory Coast and the African continent. It is the cornerstone that protects Lebanon and contributes to its foundation."
He added: "Before the expatriates and through you, I confirm that we will not accept any financial or banking reform unless it includes the guarantee of the full return of Lebanese deposits, without any interference, sooner or later, including first and foremost the deposits of expatriates."
Regarding the current situation in light of Israel's ongoing aggression against Lebanon and Gaza, Berri pointed out that "what is happening threatens the entire region. However, despite its seriousness, we are not afraid for Lebanon and its future. Lebanon's guarantee is unity, then unity, then unity among its citizens both at home and abroad, and also through adherence to Lebanon's strength and its legitimate rights to defend its land, sovereignty, and resources by all available means as outlined by international laws and charters."
He noted that "what is happening in Gaza is a shameful embarrassment for humanity, and what Lebanon is experiencing is a reflection of what the Palestinian people face through Gaza." Berri reiterated that "Lebanon has committed and will remain committed to Resolution 1701 since the moment of its issuance, with Israel having recorded over 33,000 violations of this resolution. The primary entry point for stability and avoiding conflict, from which no one will be spared, is through political pressure on Israel to halt its continuous aggression against Gaza and Lebanon for more than nine months."
