Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri stated in an interview with the newspaper An-Nahar that criticisms leveled against the resistance are “unfair.” He emphasized that the resistance “arose as a result of the occupation and the state’s inability to protect the people of the South. It is unjust to deny the sacrifices we made to liberate the South and for the benefit of all of Lebanon.”
Berri added, “We Shiites are not warmongers. Like all Lebanese, we love life and aspire to stable conditions. However, Israel forced us into this confrontation, and confronting it was a national imperative, not dictated by foreign powers. We will not accept the occupation of our land.”
Berri also stressed that parliamentary elections will be held on schedule, confirming the Ministry of Interior is making all necessary preparations. He declined to comment on various statements issued “here and there” concerning the electoral process.