Lebanese Speaker Berri Says Success of Aoun‑Trump Meeting Depends on Ground Results

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri declared that the outcomes of this week’s meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun should be judged by concrete developments on the ground, especially the establishment of a ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon.

In an interview published by Asharq Al‑Awsat on Wednesday, Berri emphasized: “After the Washington summit between Presidents Trump and Aoun, what matters is the tangible results on the ground, not merely the appearance of progress.”

He added that the crucial test would be “establishing a ceasefire and implementing withdrawals,” noting that these objectives had not yet been fulfilled.

Regarding reports of an Israeli pull‑back from the town of Zawtar al‑Gharbiya, 있는 Berri argued the move could hardly be called a withdrawal, claiming the town had never been fully occupied. He also accused Israel of continuing strikes on homes, civilian areas, infrastructure, and residents near villages in southern Lebanon.

Berri said the Washington meeting’s success hinges on any changes that occur on the ground.

“I previously stated, ‘Achieve results and I will be proud of you,’ and that has not yet materialized,” he noted.

When asked about President Trump’s comment that Berri would join the process once he witnessed progress, the speaker replied, “It seems President Trump understands me better dependency-ling some Lebanese.”

President Joseph Aoun began his Washington visit on Saturday and met with President Donald Trump on Tuesday to discuss Lebanon and the wider region.

Source link