Recent motorized parades by Hezbollah supporters across Beirut’s eastern and western neighborhoods have stirred tensions, with the Amal Movement distancing itself from these events,

The parades, intended to celebrate the return of southern residents to their villages, featured party flags and large portraits of Hezbollah’s late Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah. However, a source close to the Hezbollah-Amal duo criticized the celebrations as provocative and unnecessary.

Speaker Nabih Berri, leader of the Amal Movement, emphasized the need to avoid divisive actions, recommending that only the Lebanese flag be raised during such celebrations. Berri also expressed his preference for keeping these events confined to southern Lebanon, highlighting the importance of unity and avoiding unnecessary tensions in Beirut.

Ceasefire Extension and Negotiations

The controversy over Hezbollah’s parades comes as Lebanon secured an extension of the ceasefire in southern Lebanon until February 18. The decicion takes into account Israel refraining from further violations, such as demolishing homes, uprooting ancient trees, and other destructive activities, a political source familiar with the negotiations told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Additionally, the extension opens the door for negotiations, supervised by the "Quintet Committee," to secure the release of Lebanese detainees held in Israeli prisons since October 4. According to information obtained by Asharq Al-Awsat, 11 detainees are currently held in Israeli custody, excluding those who went missing during the clashes between Israel and Hezbollah. Efforts are underway to ascertain the fate of these missing individuals and whether they were among the casualties of the confrontations.

Naqoura Meeting: Key Issues on the Agenda

The political source confirmed that the ceasefire extension resulted from diplomatic efforts led by President Joseph Aoun, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, in coordination with the United States. The Quintet Committee, tasked with overseeing the agreement's implementation, will resume its meetings at UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura under the chairmanship of U.S. General Jasper Jeffers.

The committee's agenda includes two primary items:

1. Negotiations for the release of detainees: The U.S.-brokered agreement that initially established the ceasefire did not address the detainees’ plight. The extension now allows this matter to be prioritized.
2. Monitoring Israeli withdrawal: The committee will oversee Israel’s withdrawal from occupied southern towns which is expected to be completed by the end of the extension period on February 18.

Speaker Berri’s Conditions for the Extension

According to the source, General Jeffers recently discussed the extension with Speaker Berri during a meeting attended by U.S. Ambassador Lisa Johnson. Jeffers proposed an extension at Israel’s request, citing Israel's request for more time to withdraw and the Lebanese Army's need for logistical readiness to deploy alongside UNIFIL in the vacated areas.

Berri agreed to the extension on the condition that it be brief and that Israel expedites its withdrawal. Berri opposed a month-long extension, fearing Israel could exploit it to further delay its withdrawal and pressure Lebanon into additional concessions.

International and Arab Pressure

The source also highlighted that President Aoun and Prime Minister Mikati conducted extensive international and Arab outreach to pressure Israel into completing its withdrawal by the end of the extension period. The extension, the source noted, was only granted after Lebanon received assurances from the United States that Israel would fully withdraw, allowing for the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.