AiBotBeirut, Lebanon – In a move seen as an attempt to revive a stalled diplomatic process, the Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament has reached out to Pakistan’s ambassador in Lebanon, seeking a briefing on the current situation regarding Israel’s compliance with the ceasefire in Lebanon.
Nabih Berri, the long-serving parliament speaker, held a meeting with the Pakistani ambassador, Imran Hassan Siddiqui, earlier this week. Sources close to the matter reveal that Mr. Berri was keen to have an update from Ambassador Siddiqui regarding Pakistan’s perspective on the ongoing tensions between Israel and Lebanon.
According to insiders, Mr. Berri expressed concerns about the recent Israeli actions, which he claimed were undermining the fragile ceasefire in the region. The Speaker reportedly emphasized the need for the international community, particularly the UN, to play a more active role in addressing Israel’s alleged violations.
In turn, Ambassador Siddiqui assured Mr. Berri that Pakistan remains committed to maintaining peace and stability in the region. He also emphasized the need for all parties involved to respect the terms of the ceasefire, which was established following the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict.
The meeting between Mr. Berri and Ambassador Siddiqui appears to mark a renewed attempt by Lebanon to engage with Pakistan on the Israel-Palestine issue. For years, Lebanon has been calling on Pakistan to play a more proactive role in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, drawing on Islamabad’s historical ties with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
However, despite previous efforts, Pakistan’s involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been limited, largely due to Islamabad’s policy of maintaining good relations with key stakeholders in the Middle East.
This development comes at a time when tensions between Israel and Lebanon are running high, following a recent flare-up of violence along the Blue Line. In recent months, there have been several incidents involving Israeli military activity, including drone incursions and artillery exchanges.
While the Lebanese government has been vocal in its criticism of Israel’s actions, there have been concerns in diplomatic circles that the Arab world may be losing focus on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a result of more pressing regional challenges.
As Lebanon and Pakistan look to bolster their diplomatic ties, observers believe that the meeting between Mr. Berri and Ambassador Siddiqui represents a rare moment of cooperation in a divided international landscape.
For now, it remains to be seen whether this renewed engagement will yield tangible results in the ongoing peace process. However, one thing is certain: in the pursuit of peace and stability in the Middle East, every diplomatic channel counts.