From Ain El-Tineh… Berri Reaffirms Commitment to Resolution 1701, Guterres Calls for Immediate Ceasefire

Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri received the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, and the accompanying delegation at the Second Presidency headquarters in Ain El‑Tineh.

The meeting was attended by UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean‑Pierre Lacroix, the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis‑Plasschaert, the Commander of United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Aroldo Lázaro Sáenz, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Lebanon Imran Riza, and Berri’s media adviser Ali Hamdan.

Discussions focused on the latest developments in Lebanon and the region, particularly the political and field developments amid the escalating Israeli attacks on Lebanon and their repercussions on various levels, especially the displacement crisis and the forced displacement of hundreds of thousands of Lebanese from their homes. The meeting also addressed the role of UNIFIL and the attacks it has been subjected to.

During the meeting, Berri reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to UN Security Council Resolution 1701, stressing that there is no alternative to UNIFIL in implementing the resolution in coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces. He also called for obliging Israel to halt its attacks and to implement the November 2024 agreement.

Following the meeting, Guterres expressed deep concern over the humanitarian situation, saying:

“I am saddened to witness the terrible suffering endured by the generous Lebanese people, who have long hosted Palestinian and Syrian refugees. Today, it breaks my heart to see such a large number of Lebanese displaced within their own country, along with the high number of casualties. It is an extremely tragic situation.”