A senior Lebanese official rejects the US-brokered agreement with Israel and warns of internal divisions

The Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri, Hezbollah's main political ally, strongly criticized the US-brokered agreement between Lebanon and Israel, arguing that it risked causing divisions within the country and asserting that it would not be implemented.

In an interview given to the Lebanese daily newspaper Al-AkhbarBerri stated that discussions between Iran and the United States were the only realistic path to achieving the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. He argued that any attempt to separate the Lebanese issue from the US-Iranian negotiations would only prolong the Israeli occupation.

"Any attempt to dissociate Lebanon from this dynamic will lead to a prolongation of the occupation and pave the way for divisions among the Lebanese," he warned.

Israeli officials have indicated that the agreement could progress in the coming days, although no concrete signs of its implementation have yet been observed.

The draft agreement notably provides for a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the occupied territories in southern Lebanon, accompanied by a deployment of the Lebanese army so that it can gradually regain control of the area.

Israel has occupied part of southern Lebanon since the start of the war against Hezbollah, which began on March 2, when the Shiite movement launched attacks against Israeli territory amid regional tensions.

The United States is attempting to play a mediating role to reduce the risk of further military escalation between the two sides. However, Nabih Berri's statements illustrate the deep political divisions in Lebanon regarding the conditions for resolving the conflict.

Hezbollah and its allies believe that any lasting agreement must be linked to broader talks between Washington and Tehran, while those in favor of a quick settlement want to see the Lebanese army regain control of the south of the country as part of a US-backed agreement.

These disagreements risk complicating the implementation of any future agreement, while tensions remain high on the Israeli-Lebanese border and diplomatic efforts continue to avoid a resumption of large-scale fighting.