Nabih Berri slams Tom Barrack’s suggestion of annexing Lebanon to Syria : Peoples Dispatch
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Barrack's proposal has further exposed the Trump administration's continued attempts to tamper with Lebanon's sovereignty and independence, in a way that serves the US geopolitical interests in West Asia.

Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri denounced on Thursday, December 11, a statement by US envoy Tom Barrack, in which he bluntly advocated, earlier during the week, the annexation of Lebanon to Syria.

Berri described Barrack’s remarks as “a grave mistake and completely unacceptable”, warning foreign diplomats “not to threaten the Lebanese people”.

“It is utterly unacceptable to address the Lebanese people in this manner, especially by diplomats, and particularly by someone like Ambassador Tom Barrack,” the Lebanese politician said.

Barrack had brought forward the controversial proposal on Sunday, December 7, during his participation in the Doha 2025 Forum.

“We need to bring Lebanon and Syria together and aligned. Two of the most ancient and beautiful civilizations,” the US diplomat suggested.

Barrack’s provocative suggestion came amid escalating tension with Lebanon, caused by Washington’s mounting pressure on the Lebanese state to complete the Hezbollah disarmament plan by the end of the year.

This tension was further aggravated due to the non-stop Israeli aggression on Lebanon, despite the ceasefire deal, which the Trump administration has seemingly overlooked in terms of the plan.

It is worth noting that Barrack’s recent remark is not the first to have sparked the ire of the Lebanese people. In August, the US official came under fire after calling Lebanese reporters “animalistic” during a press conference.

Facts on the ground and the inflaming language with which Barrack has addressed the Lebanese nation foreshadow the unattainability of achieving the US-dictated plan for Lebanon, at least in the short run.

On Friday, December 12, Israeli warplanes launched a series of airstrikes across southern Lebanon and West Bekaa.

Israel’s renewed assault took place three weeks prior to the deadline set in the US plan to disarm Hezbollah, although it also stipulates ensuring the durability of the cessation of hostilities, and ending all types of violations, through air, land, and sea.

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