Lebanese efforts are continuing on several fronts to advance negotiations and implement the “Framework Agreement,” as Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri tied the immediate deployment of the Lebanese army south of the Litani River to an end to Israel’s war, a ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal to the international border.
Berri said only the United States and President Donald Trump could compel Israel to take those steps.
His remarks come as Israeli escalation continues in southern Lebanon, while uncertainty persists over the eighth round of Lebanese-Israeli negotiations, with no official date set.
Berri: The Army should be the sole security force
Berri made the comments during a meeting with a delegation from the American Task Force on Lebanon (ATFL), headed by Ambassador Edward Gabriel.
The talks covered political and field developments, Israel’s continued military operations and destruction of southern villages, as well as direct negotiations and the “Framework Agreement,” according to a statement from the parliament speaker’s office.
Berri said what was happening in the south was “unbearable,” citing the destruction of villages, attacks on civilians and violations of international and humanitarian laws and norms.
He said some of the destruction and attacks had surpassed “the crimes and massacres against people, buildings and heritage that have occurred and continue to occur in Gaza.”
Berri said the United States was the only country capable of ending the situation.
“The United States is the only country, and its president, Donald Trump, is the only president capable of compelling Israel to end its war, cease fire and withdraw to the international border in the south,” he said.
Berri, whom Hezbollah had previously tasked with negotiating on its behalf, linked those steps to Lebanon assuming security responsibility in the south.
“At that point, I guarantee the immediate deployment of the Lebanese army in the area south of the Litani,” he said.
He said the army should be the sole force responsible for security and the only armed force in the area.
Berri also said the area south of the Litani belonged to its residents, adding that southerners were eager to see the army protect their security and stability.
Ali al-Taher and US pressure
Gabriel described the meeting as “very good,” saying talks covered reform, Lebanon’s security situation and developments in the south, particularly the direct negotiations and the Framework Agreement.
He said the delegation saw strong interest from Berri in making progress on the “pilot zones” and a personal commitment to their success.
On the Ali al-Taher hill, Gabriel said Israel needed to make clear whether it accepted Lebanese army control of the position.
He said people in the south did not want war and wanted to return home, adding that he would convey Berri’s views to US policymakers.
Asked about US pressure on Israel, Gabriel said Trump was working very hard to push the Israelis to stop the death and destruction.
He said Trump had told the Israelis, “Enough, enough”, adding that he expected Washington to keep pressing Israel to end the war.
Eighth round: Tentative timing, low expectations
The timing of the eighth round of Lebanese-Israeli negotiations remains unclear.
Ministerial sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that a date under discussion for early September “remains tentative” and that official invitations have not yet been sent. They said invitations could be issued in the coming days.
The sources said Lebanon would attend any negotiating meeting but voiced limited optimism about the next round, given the current political and military conditions and Israel’s escalating positions.
“There are no high expectations for the outcome of the negotiations, especially before the next Israeli elections in October,” the sources said.
Still, they said Lebanon hoped the talks would produce positive results.
They said Israel’s positions were “clear and concerning to Lebanon” and that Washington needed “to exert pressure to deter Israel.”
Lebanon’s diplomatic outreach has taken on added importance in that context, including President Joseph Aoun’s visit to Rome.
Ministerial sources said the visit has two main objectives.
The first is to meet Pope Leo XIV and brief him on the latest developments surrounding the Framework Agreement, particularly the role he could play in supporting the political track.
The second is to meet with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to discuss what will follow the end of UNIFIL’s mandate if the international force cannot be extended.
The sources said the issue is linked to an earlier French-Italian initiative proposing that international forces could take on security responsibilities in the south if UNIFIL’s mandate is not renewed at the end of this year.
