Berri Says Iranian-Saudi Rapprochement Necessary for Detente in Lebanon, Syria

Speaker Nabih Berri stressed on Tuesday on the importance of Iranian-Saudi rapprochement, considering that it creates detente in Lebanon and the region.

"An Iranian-Saudi rapprochement will be greatly reflected in the region as it will not only create detente in Syria, but in Lebanon and Iraq as well,” Berri said after meeting with his Iranian counterpart Ali Larijani on the sidelines of the 129th Inter-Parliamentary Union conference in Geneva.

Berri also emphasized during the talks on a political solution for the Syrian crisis.

"An all-inclusive solution is important for dealing with the political issues in the region,” he noted.

The speaker explained: “It is necessary to deal with what is happening in Lebanon, Syria and the region by communicating with all factions, especially with Iranian officials.”

"Parliamentary diplomacy between the Lebanese parliament and the Iranian Shura Council is more than important to reach common grounds in the region, and it would be beneficial to both nations. It will preserve the path of resilience in the country.”

Regarding the crisis of the increasing influx of Syrian refugees into the country, Larijani stressed that Lebanon's potential “is enormous thanks to its people and its resistance.”

"We always bet on Lebanon during the developments in the region and we are always beside the Lebanese people,” he added. “We will certainly exert maximum efforts to help Lebanon deal with this issue.”

"It is important to adopt a radical solution to deal with the refugees' problem and hopefully a political solution will get Syria out of its crisis.”

The United Nations’ refugee agency announced on Saturday that the number of Syrians receiving aid in Lebanon from the U.N. agency and its partners has reached 779,000, noting that 678100 of them are officially registered while 101000 are awaiting to be enlisted.