Caroline Akoum

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said the Lebanese Army would immediately deploy south of the Litani River once Israel ends its war, agrees to a ceasefire and withdraws to the international border. He argued that only the United States and President Donald Trump can compel Israel to take those steps, while insisting that the army should become the area’s sole armed security force. Berri made the remarks during talks with an American Task Force on Lebanon delegation led by Edward Gabriel, amid continued Israeli operations and destruction in southern Lebanon. The eighth round of Lebanese-Israeli negotiations may take place in early September, but the timing remains tentative and expectations are low. Lebanon is also pursuing diplomatic support in Rome and discussing arrangements for southern security if the UNIFIL mandate expires at the end of the year.

The United States postponed a technical meeting intended to launch implementation of the Lebanon-Israel pilot zones plan, delaying the agreed mechanism for Israeli withdrawal from designated areas and Lebanese army deployment. Washington cited the need for more time to finalize technical and operational files, while military sources attributed the delay to Israeli actions on the ground, including continued destruction in southern Lebanon and reluctance to withdraw from occupied areas. The framework agreement aims to reinforce the ceasefire and prepare for a phased Israeli pullout, though no binding timeline exists and Israel maintains conditions tied to Hezbollah’s disarmament. Israeli strikes and demolitions continued across southern Lebanon as Lebanese forces expanded their deployment. Hezbollah escalated criticism of the negotiations, warning that the government’s approach risks internal instability and asserting readiness for all scenarios.