Berri meets US ATFL delegation accompanied by US Ambassador
12/10/2025 4:13:00 PM
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri received the American Task Force for Lebanon (ATFL) delegation at Ain al-Tineh, accompanied by U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michael Issa and a team of Washington-based experts. Discussions focused on Lebanon’s political and security developments and regional dynamics.
After the more than hour-long meeting, Ambassador Issa thanked Berri for offering the delegation a direct and unfiltered understanding of the Lebanese situation, noting that “what reaches the U.S. is often different from what is happening on the ground.” Commenting on the appointment of Ambassador Simon Karam to the “mechanism” committee, Issa said Berri conveyed all necessary messages to the delegation, adding that negotiations should not be judged prematurely.
Issa affirmed the continuation of U.S. military assistance to the Lebanese Army and said work is ongoing to schedule Army Commander Gen. Rodolph Haykal’s visit to Washington. On southern developments, he expressed hope that the government would formally confirm the Army’s authority south of the Litani.
ATFL President Ambassador Edward Gabriel described the meeting as “highly productive,” noting that the expert delegation is assessing Lebanon’s regional positioning to brief the U.S. Congress.
Speaker Berri also met Regie Director General Nassif Seklawi, who invited him to the company’s 90th-anniversary celebration and reported that Regie revenues could rise by 20% in 2025, approaching USD 500 million.
After the more than hour-long meeting, Ambassador Issa thanked Berri for offering the delegation a direct and unfiltered understanding of the Lebanese situation, noting that “what reaches the U.S. is often different from what is happening on the ground.” Commenting on the appointment of Ambassador Simon Karam to the “mechanism” committee, Issa said Berri conveyed all necessary messages to the delegation, adding that negotiations should not be judged prematurely.
Issa affirmed the continuation of U.S. military assistance to the Lebanese Army and said work is ongoing to schedule Army Commander Gen. Rodolph Haykal’s visit to Washington. On southern developments, he expressed hope that the government would formally confirm the Army’s authority south of the Litani.
ATFL President Ambassador Edward Gabriel described the meeting as “highly productive,” noting that the expert delegation is assessing Lebanon’s regional positioning to brief the U.S. Congress.
Speaker Berri also met Regie Director General Nassif Seklawi, who invited him to the company’s 90th-anniversary celebration and reported that Regie revenues could rise by 20% in 2025, approaching USD 500 million.