Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri stressed that what matters now after the summit between US President Donald Trump and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Washington is 'results on the ground, not just the appearances that were shown.'

Berri told Asharq Al-Awsat: 'The lesson after this meeting lies in solidifying the ceasefire and withdrawals, which has not happened yet,' noting that 'the withdrawal carried out from the town of Zoutar al-Gharbi on Monday can barely be called 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 assaults on residents at the edges of occupied villages.'

Berri believes that the success of this summit will be through achieving these steps. He added: 'I said before, achieve accomplishments and put them on my eye... but that has not happened yet.'

Asharq Al-Awsat asked Speaker Berri about his impression of the US president's statement that Berri would join the track when he sees the progress the agreement achieves, to which he laughed and said: 'It seems that President Trump understands me more 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 of Berri's rejection of the agreement and its description as possibly leading to internal strife. Aoun replied that the framework agreement does not need parliament's 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, understands the extent of destruction it faces, and wants to see an end to the war, even though 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 will join the track when he sees the progress the agreement achieves.