Beirut, July 22 (IANS) Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has said the recent US-Lebanese presidential meeting should be judged by “results on the ground” rather than its optics, noting that a lasting ceasefire and Israeli withdrawals have yet to materialise.
“The important thing now is the results on the ground, not merely the way the summit appeared,” Berri told Lebanese Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper in remarks published Wednesday.
He called Israel’s recent withdrawal from the southern town of Zawtar al-Gharbiyah inadequate, adding that “criminal demolition operations” and attacks near occupied villages were continuing.
Berri reiterated that he would support tangible achievements, which have “not happened yet”, Xinhua news agency reported.
US President Donald Trump and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met in Washington on Tuesday to advance a US-brokered framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces began withdrawing from parts of Zawtar al-Gharbiyah on Tuesday, marking the first implementation of the “pilot areas” arrangement under the framework agreement. The Lebanese army moved in, but said Israeli forces had opened fire near its units, warning the incident could hinder deployment.
Aoun on Tuesday called on Trump to help Lebanon achieve lasting peace during their talks at the White House, stressing the necessity to end hostilities between Lebanon and Israel permanently.
According to Lebanon’s National News Agency, Aoun thanked Trump for his support in reaching what he described as a “historic achievement” through the recent signing of a framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel.
“The time has come for Lebanon to enjoy peace, and together we can achieve that,” the Lebanese President said, adding that the final goal is “to end the state of hostility between Lebanon and Israel forever.”
Aoun also highlighted the role of Berri, believed to be an ally of Hezbollah, noting that he hails from southern Lebanon and is “making great efforts” to help end hostilities.
For his part, Trump pledged support for Lebanon, saying Washington would help the country “a lot”.
He noted that Israeli forces were “in the process of withdrawing from southern Lebanon” and that his administration had plans to support the Lebanese army.
Aoun’s visit came amid ongoing US-backed efforts to consolidate security arrangements in southern Lebanon, where Israeli forces have been battling Hezbollah fighters for months, causing massive damage and displacement.
–IANS
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