Berri Compares Lebanon to Atom: If Split, Region Will Explode

Speaker Nabih Berri warned on Wednesday against plans to fragment the region, including Lebanon.

He said during his weekly meeting with lawmakers at his Ain el-Tineh residence: “Lebanon is like the atom. If it is split, then it will explode, as will the region around it.”

In addition, he noted that a deal between the United States and Iran over the Islamic republic's nuclear program will have repercussions on the region.

The speaker therefore called on the Lebanese to demonstrate more unity to fortify the country.

Berri also hoped that government work would resume “because we are in need of tackling several problems and files.”

A cabinet session has been scheduled for Thursday.

Addressing the dialogue between the Mustaqbal Movement and Hizbullah, the speaker said: “The talks and the outcomes they are producing have become a factor in easing tensions in Lebanon.”

The two sides had held the seventh round of their dialogue on Monday.

They announced, after meeting at Ain el-Tineh, that they made "serious progress" regarding the security and political issues in Lebanon.

Dialogue between the two parties had kicked off on December 23, 2014.