Lebanon will not surrender an iota of its soil, says Parliament Speaker Berri

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has censured the Israeli prime minister’s latest remarks that the regime forces will remain stationed at five sites in southern Lebanon, stressing that his country will not give up any inch of its land “under no circumstances.”

“Lebanon will resort to all possible means to protect its sovereign rights and liberate the land from Israeli occupation,” Berri said on Friday.

He added that preserving Lebanon and the south is a comprehensive national responsibility and must be a point of unity.

“If we are united, we can overcome any challenge,” the senior Lebanese legislator said.

The comments came a day after Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel “will not give up” the five hills it occupies in southern Lebanon.

Netanyahu, on multiple occasions, has reaffirmed Tel Aviv’s intention to maintain a presence at locations in south Lebanon, citing the need to secure the northern border of the Israeli-occupied territories.

Israel was forced to accept a ceasefire with Hezbollah after experiencing substantial losses during almost 14 months of hostilities and not accomplishing its objectives in its offensive against Lebanon. The truce came into effect on November 27.

Since the start of the agreement, though, the occupation forces have been conducting near-daily attacks on Lebanon in violation of the ceasefire, including airstrikes across the Arab nation.

On January 27, Lebanon announced its agreement to extend the ceasefire with Israel until February 18.

However, Israel now maintains its occupation of five strategic locations in southern Lebanon, namely Labbouneh, Mount Blat, Owayda Hill, Aaziyyeh, and Hammamis Hill, near the border beyond the February 18 deadline.

Lebanon has rejected the continued presence of Israeli troops, a violation of the ceasefire and the withdrawal deadline. Senior authorities in Beirut say they will “adopt all means” to force the occupation forces out of the Arab country.

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