Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri affirmed that what matters now after the summit between US President Donald Trump and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Washington is "the results on the ground, not merely the appearance."

Berri told Asharq Al-Awsat: "The lesson after this meeting is in consolidating the ceasefire and the withdrawals, which has not happened yet," noting that "the withdrawal carried out from the town of Zoutar al-Gharbi on Monday barely counts as a withdrawal; the town is very small and was not fully occupied, and criminal bombing operations against homes, civilian neighborhoods, and infrastructure continue, as do attacks on residents at the edges of occupied villages."

Berri believes the success of this summit will come through achieving these steps. He added: "I have said before: 'Accomplish something and put it on my eye'... which has not happened yet."

Asharq Al-Awsat asked Speaker Berri about his impression of the US president's statement that Berri would join the process when he sees the progress the agreement is making, and he said with a laugh: "It seems President Trump understands me better than some Lebanese."

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (Archive - Reuters)

The Trump-Aoun meeting addressed the position of Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, after Aoun was asked about reports that Berri rejected the agreement and described it as potentially leading to internal strife. Aoun replied that the framework agreement does not require parliamentary ratification, noting that the constitution grants the president the authority to conclude it.

President Aoun was keen to defend Berri, saying that the parliament speaker supports ending the state of hostility and war, and that his position as a Shiite leader requires him to handle the file cautiously. He added: "Speaker Berri is a statesman," explaining that he hails from southern Lebanon and is aware of the extent of destruction it is suffering, and that he wants to see an end to the war, although he is required to consider the sensitivity of his position and his relationship with Hezbollah.

Trump said he heard that Berri is "a good person and a righteous man," expressing confidence that he would join the process when he sees the progress the agreement is making.