Nabih Berri: Controversy Over Ali Larijani’s Beirut Visit Is Overblown, Iran Remains a Friend of Lebanon

Nabih Berri, Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, called for confronting the Israeli regime and stated that what is needed is patience and sacrifice to counter the Israeli enemy and its conspiracies targeting all of Lebanon.

According to Saed News citing Tasnim, Berri told Al-Nahar newspaper that controversies raised by some parties over the visit of Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, to Beirut are insignificant. He added: “Brothers, remain calm. Iran is a friendly country for Lebanon, and given its active role in the region, it will continue to be our friend.”

Berri also affirmed that Hezbollah has never disappeared and, despite all challenges it has faced, remains one of the largest parties in Lebanon. He stressed that national issues cannot be managed solely by one political component or a single sect in the country.

He denied confirming the government’s decision to disarm Hezbollah, emphasizing that the only request he made was to postpone the first government session from Tuesday to Thursday, but it was ignored. He asked rhetorically: “If we had accepted this decision, would Israel have withdrawn from the south, or would its attacks have increased?”

Berri also mentioned his meeting with U.S. envoy Tom Barrack, noting that Barrack described the meeting as very good and positive, although he later changed his positions.