Berri says Iran officially told him Lebanon to be part of any deal

Speaker Nabih Berri has revealed to his visitors that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had informed him, one day before the Lebanese Foreign Ministry’s decision to expel Iran's ambassador, that Tehran insists any agreement to end the war must also include Lebanon, affirming that “what applies to Tehran applies to Beirut.”

Domestically, the Speaker stressed that “the top priority today is the displaced and preserving national unity.” In this context, he expressed his satisfaction with “the Sunni-Shiite atmosphere in the country” and with “the welcoming environment for the displaced in the Jabal area, which confirms what I always say: that Walid Jumblat never loses his way.”

He also noted that he received the latest initiative presented to him by Free Patriotic Movement leader Jebran Bassil “very positively.” However, he expressed concern for civil peace, emphasizing that the security plan being implemented by the security forces and the Lebanese Army is “in the interest of the country and our displaced people.”

The Speaker stressed that “the army is a red line, and any harm to it is forbidden, from the lowest-ranking soldier to the commander,” and described his relationship with General Rodolphe Haykal as “excellent.”

The Speaker of Parliament also emphasized: "We are Arabs first, Lebanese second, and Shiites third. We are an Arab country, and we are very keen on Arab countries and on maintaining the best relations with them.”

However, he added: "We stand with Iran when the choice is between it and Israel. Even if it were between Israel and the devil himself, we are certainly against Israel,” noting that Iran’s performance in the ongoing war has surprised many.