Berri: The weapon of the Lebanese is their unity

Speaker Nabih Berri has said that he does not fear for Lebanon, noting that the country “has a strong weapon, which is unity.”

“This unity is what immunizes and protects the country and prevents its violation by the Israelis as is happening during this period,” Berri said in remarks to al-Joumhouria newspaper published Tuesday.

“The weapon of the Lebanese is their unity and Israel would not be able to carry out its attacks, violation of the ceasefire agreement and threats if the Lebanese were unified,” Berri added.

“Entire Lebanon is in the crosshairs of Israel and it is not targeting a certain group, but rather all Lebanese without exception -- they are a target of aggression with all their religions, sects and regions,” the Speaker warned.

Asked about the possibility of war and escalation and the performance of the U.S.-led Mechanism ceasefire committee, Berri said “what Israel has been doing since the ceasefire agreement was declared is a continuous war,” while criticizing the work of the Mechanism.

Berri accordingly called on the Lebanese government to “carry out its duties, secure the requirements for immunizing the country and at least implement what it had committed to in its Ministerial Statement, especially in terms of protecting Lebanon and rebuilding the damaged areas, from Dahiyeh to the South and Bekaa and all areas targeted by Israeli aggression.”

The Speaker added that “the Resistance is not for a Lebanese group without the other, but rather for all Lebanese and concerns all Lebanese.”

“What it did throughout its long years of struggle was to protect them, protect Lebanon and liberate it from Israeli occupation, and for the sake of that it offered thousands of martyrs and precious sacrifices,” Berri went on to say.

Berri also said that the upcoming parliamentary elections will be held on time, calling on authorities, especially the Interior Ministry, to conduct the necessary preparations.

Asked about the government’s urgent draft law that is aimed at securing the participation of expats abroad in the vote, Berri said: “The government’s Ministerial Statement includes a forthright declaration by this government that it will not interfere in the elections.”