Lebanon’s Normalization with Israel ‘Out of the Question,’ Says Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri

Beirut — Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has firmly ruled out the possibility of normalizing relations with Israel, declaring that such a move is “out of the question.”

In an interview with the Lebanese daily Asharq Al-Awsat, Berri said that any indirect negotiations must include all relevant parties — Lebanon, Israel, the United States, France, and the United Nations — to ensure balanced discussions, Xinhua news agency reported.

He added that Lebanon had “no objection to involving civilian experts when necessary,” citing the example of the Blue Line demarcation in 2000, when geological and mapping specialists were brought in to assist the process.

“All Israeli threats and airstrikes will not change our position on this matter,” Berri asserted.

A ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, in place since November 27, 2024, remains fragile. Despite the truce, the Israeli army continues to launch occasional strikes in Lebanon, claiming they are aimed at countering Hezbollah “threats.” Israeli forces also maintain positions along five key locations near the Lebanese border.

On Saturday, three Israeli airstrikes targeted vehicles in eastern and southern Lebanon, killing three people and injuring 11 others, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA).

Meanwhile, Lebanese Public Works and Transport Minister Fayez Rasamny said that postwar reconstruction remains the government’s top priority, even as continued Israeli attacks hinder progress.

“Reconstruction constitutes a top priority for the government and the presidency,” Rasamny said, noting that fieldwork has been repeatedly disrupted by ongoing strikes.

He added that the government has completed detailed damage assessments and formulated a comprehensive reconstruction plan, estimating that total losses from the recent conflict exceed $11 billion. Lebanon is currently awaiting a $250 million World Bank loan to begin restoring critical infrastructure.

“This amount is not enough, but it marks an important starting point for the reconstruction process,” Rasamny said.

With inputs from IANS