BEIRUT: Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has been working through Iranian channels to secure Hezbollah’s commitment to a ceasefire while his country presses ahead with negotiations aimed at ending the war, political sources have told Arab News.
The Amal Movement leader remains central to efforts to ensure Hezbollah abides by any future truce, amid growing recognition that no ceasefire can hold without its participation, according to the sources.
The diplomatic push came after Israel threatened to resume strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs and Hezbollah prepared attacks deeper inside Israeli territory, raising fears of a wider confrontation. By Monday night, however, Arab and international mediation efforts had succeeded in preventing a further escalation.
US President Donald Trump later said that through what he described as “highly placed representatives,” understandings had been reached with Hezbollah to halt exchanges of fire between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group.
Hezbollah denied any direct communication with Washington. Lawmaker Ihab Hamadeh said on Tuesday that the group had not communicated with any party other than Iran, which has maintained daily contact with Berri, particularly over the past two days as Israeli threats against Beirut intensified.
