Lebanon’s Stance: No Normalization with Israel, Says Berri

Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has definitively ruled out any possibility of normalization with Israel. He expressed that indirect talks concerning regional security should encompass all relevant nations, including Lebanon, Israel, the United States, France, and the United Nations. Berri indicated a willingness to involve civilian experts for necessary technical roles, drawing parallels to the consultation of specialists during the 2000 Blue Line demarcation. He firmly stated that Israeli threats and airstrikes would not alter Lebanon’s resolute position. While a ceasefire has been in effect since late November 2024, intermittent Israeli strikes persist along the Lebanese border, with the Israeli military asserting they are targeting Hezbollah ‘threats.’ These military incursions are directly impacting Lebanon’s crucial post-war reconstruction efforts. Saturday’s airstrikes in eastern and southern Lebanon resulted in fatalities and injuries, underscoring the volatile situation. The Lebanese government, led by the presidency, has prioritized reconstruction despite the ongoing challenges. Minister Fayez Rasamny confirmed that fieldwork is repeatedly hampered by Israeli attacks. Detailed evaluations of infrastructure damage have been conducted, estimating total losses from the recent conflict could surpass $11 billion. Lebanon is set to receive a $250 million loan from the World Bank to initiate the rehabilitation of essential infrastructure, a sum considered a necessary, albeit initial, step towards recovery.