This Is What the U.S. Ambassador Said About the Negotiations

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri received U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Aoun and head of the Special Military Coordination Group for Lebanon (MCG4L), General Joseph Cliffield, along with the accompanying military delegation at the second presidential residence in Ain al-Tineh, with media advisor to the Speaker Ali Hamdan present. The meeting included a briefing on the ground situation in southern Lebanon and the group's work in light of the initiation of defining experimental zones and the verification mechanism for Israeli withdrawal and the deployment of the Lebanese Army.

In turn, Berri emphasized that Israel has not ceased its violations and attacks on Lebanon and the south since November 2024, stating these assaults continue systematically, destroying villages, plowing over farmland and agricultural areas, burning forested regions, and targeting heritage sites and cultural legacies.

He added that the key to stability remains compelling Israel to halt its war and withdraw to international borders.

Similarly, Ambassador Aoun described the atmosphere after the meeting as "positive".

When asked about the negotiations and the timing of the next round, Ambassador Aoun said: "The atmosphere is positive; negotiations will continue, but no date has been set yet."

Regarding whether the United States supports any military operation on Ali Tahir heights, he replied: "I don't know."

On the topic of experimental zones and whether other areas are involved, Ambassador Aoun stated: "First, we must clarify the status of the current zones, and then other areas will follow."

As for the countries participating in the monitoring mechanism, Aoun noted: "There is a list of countries we are discussing with, but no country has been officially confirmed yet."

On the reason for Cliffield's visit to Beirut, Aoun said: "The visit aims to clarify the situation as it stands, particularly for President Nabih Berri, to explain what is happening on the ground."

Meanwhile, Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri signed the laws passed during the general legislative session.