Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri told a delegation from the American Task Force on Lebanon (ATFL) that the United States and President Donald Trump were uniquely positioned to pressure Israel to end its campaign in southern Lebanon, agree to a ceasefire and withdraw to the international border.

Berri made the remarks during a meeting with an ATFL delegation led by former U.S. Ambassador Edward Gabriel at the parliament speaker's headquarters in Ain al-Tineh, where they discussed Lebanon's political and security situation and Israel's continued attacks and destruction in the south.

Berri said the situation in southern Lebanon had become intolerable, arguing that the destruction and civilian deaths there could now rival or exceed what has occurred in Gaza.

“What is happening in the south has become unbearable,” Berri told the delegation, according to a statement from his office.

He said the violence had involved destruction of homes and heritage sites and the killing of civilians “in violation of the most basic international and humanitarian laws, conventions and norms.”

Berri said Washington was the only power capable of compelling Israel to halt the fighting.

“The United States is the only country, and President Trump is the only leader, who can compel Israel to end this war, agree to a ceasefire and withdraw to the international border in the south,” he said.

If that happened, Berri said, he would guarantee the immediate deployment of the Lebanese army south of the Litani River.

“The Lebanese army would be the only force responsible for security there, and the only force permitted to carry weapons,” he said, adding that residents of the south had the right to return home and rebuild their communities.

“They are eager to see the Lebanese army protect their security and stability,” he said.

For his part, Gabriel described the meeting as highly productive and said the delegation had discussed Lebanon's reform agenda, the security situation and developments in the south, with particular attention to direct negotiations and the framework agreement.

“We had a very good meeting with Speaker Berri,” Gabriel said afterward. “We discussed reform, Lebanon's security situation and the situation in the south, particularly the direct negotiations and the framework agreement.”

He said the delegation had found Berri particularly focused on the pilot zones established under the framework.

“It was clear to us that Speaker Berri is very interested in making progress on the pilot zones,” Gabriel said. “He personally wants to see them succeed.”

The issue of Ali al-Taher Hill, a strategic position in southern Lebanon that has become a flashpoint between Israel and Hezbollah, was also raised.

Asked whether the site should be handed over to the Lebanese army, Gabriel said Israel needed to make its position clear.

“Israel needs to be clear that it is prepared to accept Lebanese army control of Ali al-Taher Hill as a way of preventing further widespread destruction,” Gabriel said. “But Israel also needs to clearly state that it wants the Lebanese army to take control of the area.”

Gabriel stressed that southern Lebanese residents were seeking an end to the fighting rather than another war.

“The people of the south don't want war. They want to go home,” he said.

He added that the delegation would convey Berri's views to U.S. policymakers.

“The speaker was extremely candid with us,” Gabriel said. “We will make sure his vision and his perspective are heard by American policymakers.”

Asked what Washington could do to halt the fighting and press Israel toward a ceasefire, Gabriel pointed to Trump's stated interest in resolving Lebanon's crisis.

“We have a president who is very interested in seeing the Lebanese crisis resolved,” Gabriel said. “President Trump is working very hard to persuade the Israelis to stop the killing and destruction.”

Gabriel said Trump had made his position clear to Israel.

“The president himself has said, ‘Enough, enough,’ to the Israelis,” he said. “We expect him to continue working with them and make clear that if they want peace, this is not the way to achieve it.”

“I believe the United States will continue to push in that direction,” he added.