The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Nabih Berri, received at the Second Presidency headquarters in Ain al-Tineh a delegation from the American Task Force for Lebanon (ATFL), headed by Ambassador Ed Gabriel, where the general situation and political and field developments were presented in light of Israel’s continued aggression and destruction of villages in southern Lebanon. Berri assured the delegation that what the south is being exposed to is unbearable and may have exceeded what happened and is happening in Gaza in terms of crimes and massacres against people, stones and heritage and the killing of civilians in violation of the most basic laws, conventions and international and humanitarian norms. The Speaker of Parliament pointed out to the delegation that the United States of America is the only country and its president, President Donald Trump, is the only one who can oblige Israel to end its war, cease fire, and withdraw to the international border in the south. Then I guarantee the immediate deployment of the Lebanese army in the area south of the Litani, and that the Lebanese army will be the only force maintaining security and the only one that possesses weapons in that area. It is an area whose people have the right to return to and rebuild it, and they are eager to see the Lebanese army preserving their security and stability. In turn, Ambassador Gabriel said after the meeting: The American working group concerned with Lebanon held a very good meeting with Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri. We discussed topics related to reform and the security situation in Lebanon and the south, especially direct negotiations and the framework agreement. He added: We sensed that President Berri is very interested in achieving progress regarding the pilot areas and that he personally wants to see the pilot areas succeed In response to a question regarding Ali Taher Hill and its handover to the Lebanese army? Gabriel replied: Israel must be clear about its acceptance that the Lebanese army takes control of Ali al-Taher Hill in order to prevent mass destruction by Israel, but Israel must be clear about its desire for the Lebanese army to take control of this area. He added: The people of the South do not want war, but rather they want to return to their homes. We believe that it was a very good meeting, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives was very frank, and we will be careful to convey his vision and point of view to American policymakers. In response to a question about what efforts the United States can make to stop the war and pressure Israel to stop the fire? Gabriel answered: We have a President of the United States who has a lot of interest in seeing the Lebanese crisis resolved, and President Trump is working very hard to push the Israelis to stop the death and destruction. The President even said so: “Enough is enough” to the Israelis, and we expect that he will continue to work with the Israelis to make them understand that if they want peace, this is not the way to do it, and I believe that the United States will push in this direction. President Berri also received Canadian Minister of State for International Development Randeep Sarai and the accompanying delegation, in the presence of the Canadian Ambassador to Lebanon, Gregory Galligan, where developments in the situation in Lebanon and the region and political and field developments were discussed in light of Israel’s continued attacks on Lebanon, in addition to the reconstruction file and bilateral relations between Lebanon and Canada. The Speaker of Parliament also received the Director General of UNESCO, Khaled Al-Anani, and the accompanying delegation, in the presence of the Minister of Culture, Ghassan Salame, and the Lebanese Ambassador and Permanent Representative to UNESCO, Hind Darwish. The meeting discussed the organization’s work programs in Lebanon, in addition to the importance of its role in protecting heritage, cultural and archaeological facilities, especially those threatened by Israeli attacks.