NNA – House Speaker, Nabih Berri, on Thursday received at the second presidency in Ain El-Tine, the British Ambassador to Lebanon, Hamish Cowell.

Discussions reportedly touched on the latest political and field developments in light of Israel's continued aggression against Lebanon.

Speaker Berri later received Caretaker Minister of National Defense, Maurice Sleem, with whom he discussed political and field developments and the role of the military and security institutions.

On emerging, Minister Sleem said: "the meeting was an opportunity to review the general situation the country is going through and the role of the military and security institutions in the dangerous circumstances our country is going through."

Sleem added: "The ongoing Israeli aggression on our country confirms the aggressive approach of killing and destruction and the lack of respect for international and humanitarian laws. This is what makes us ask the international community, whose attempts have so far failed to stop the killing machine, to effectively seek a solution to stop the reprehensible and unprecedented killing process. This stage requires national unity, cohesion, support for the military and security forces, and cooperation in all the tasks they carry out at the national level."

Minister Sleem continued, “I confirm that we have complete confidence in our army, this army whose history bears witness to its national sacrifices, achievements and successes. Our army has a firm national doctrine and has proven its worth and efficiency throughout its history. I also confirm our army’s cooperation over decades with UNIFIL forces in southern Lebanon and its constant commitment to the laws, charters and decisions issued by the international community and its commitment to Resolution 1701 and all its provisions in the south Litani area in cooperation between the army and UNIFIL.”

Berri also received respectively in Ain El-Tineh, former Vice Speaker, Elie Ferzli, and the Secretary General of the Tashnag Party, MP Hagop Pakradounian with whom he broached the general situation and the displaced file.

On the other hand, Berri received a phone call from the former Secretary-General of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, during which they reviewed the situation in Lebanon and the region in light of the escalating Israeli aggression against Lebanon.

================ L.Y