Walid Joumblatt: Yes to negotiations with Israel, but not without Berri - L'Orient Today

Walid Joumblatt, former President of the Progressive Socialist Party, says yes to negotiations with Israel but not without Nabih Berri.

He is proceeding with caution on what he calls decisive issues and is waiting for Parliament Speaker Berri to reconsider his opposition.

He believes the process cannot move forward without a broad national consensus.

This stance comes about 10 days after President Joseph Aoun called for direct negotiations with Israel to end the war.

Berri, for his part, refuses to begin negotiations without a cease-fire, while Israel wants talks to take place amid ongoing fighting.

The article notes these opposing stances reflect a stalled path for diplomacy.

It underscores that the Lebanese process has not moved forward due to conflicting prerequisites.

According to L'Orient-Le Jour's information, Joumblatt is reluctant to engage in such a process to avoid a repeat of May, though the article does not specify details.

The piece notes that Joumblatt has yet to publicly state his position on talks.

The report frames the issue as a test of broad national consensus among Lebanon's leadership amid competing positions from Berri and Israel.