Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has moved to curb the campaign waged by his ally, Hezbollah, against Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, with sources close to Berri telling Asharq Al-Awsat that he had pushed for a de-escalation between Salam and a large segment of residents in southern Lebanon.

The effort was reflected in Salam’s visit to Nabatiyeh  last Friday and in his remarks Sunday evening on NBN, a television channel affiliated with Berri’s Amal Movement. Salam reaffirmed the government’s commitment to Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon and to restoring the State’s presence and activating its institutions in the region.

Signs of de-escalation

Salam’s trip to Nabatiyeh was his third visit to southern Lebanon in three months and stood out for the degree of coordination surrounding it.

He was received by local figures including Amal Movement MP Hani Qobeissi, Finance Minister Yassine Jaber, who is from Nabatiyeh , and Interior Minister Ahmad Al-Hajjar. Mayors from Nabatiyeh -area towns affiliated with Hezbollah also took part in the reception.

Although Hezbollah’s political representatives did not attend, the group did not issue any Statement attacking the visit or Salam, unlike on previous occasions. The absence of criticism was seen as another indication of the de-escalation Berri has been seeking.

Sources familiar with the visit said the tour and meetings in Nabatiyeh had “mended a large part of the relationship between Salam and the people of the region.”

They said Hezbollah MP Mohammad Raad, the group’s representative in Nabatiyeh , was absent because he does not attend social events for personal security reasons. At the same time, the sources noted that municipalities affiliated with Hezbollah participated in welcoming Salam and that opposition to the visit appeared limited.

Another sign of a possible easing of tensions came Monday from Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah, a member of the group’s parliamentary bloc.

“We support strengthening the role of the State in the south and having it assume its full responsibilities,” Fadlallah said. “But this starts with ending the occupation, stopping the aggression and halting the bulldozing and destruction of our villages.”

He called on the government to “match words with actions.”

“We support every effort and every development initiative by State institutions in the south,” Fadlallah added, urging the government to disburse a $250 million World Bank loan, part of which is allocated to southern Lebanon, and to increase its spending on the south in the 2027 budget.

Berri and Salam maintain dialogue

While Hezbollah has repeatedly criticized Salam in recent months, communication between the prime minister and Berri has remained open.

Berri has advocated strengthening State institutions in southern Lebanon, consolidating stability and the ceasefire, facilitating the return of residents to their villages and providing the services needed to help them remain there.

His position has remained unchanged despite his opposition to direct negotiations with Israel and his earlier rejection of the so-called “framework agreement.”

Sources in the Amal Movement told Asharq Al-Awsat that Berri was acting consistently with his long-standing demand for a stronger State presence and functioning government institutions in the south.

“Salam’s visit confirmed a direction within the executive branch to strengthen that presence,” the sources said, adding that it was therefore natural for representatives of Amal and the Development and Liberation parliamentary bloc to “meet it halfway.”

They said Salam had pledged to reactivate government and State institutions despite the severe economic constraints he has acknowledged.

“Salam’s visit soothed the wounds of the people of the south,” the sources said. “It appeared that the prime minister came to Nabatiyeh to stand by the people of the south and open the door to strengthening the State’s presence, which would help people remain steadfast. That is the least that can be done.”