BEIRUT: Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri blasted Israel Tuesday for ignoring U.N. decisions stipulating a cessation of hostilities and withdrawal of occupied territories and reiterated his commitment to Security Council resolutions 425 and 1701.

“I reiterate today that we are committed to U.N. resolutions 425 and 1701, while Israel keeps ignoring international resolutions and conducts daily violations,” Berri said in a speech before the Armenian Parliament.

Berri, who is on an official visit to Armenia, was accompanied by Hezbollah MP Mohammad Raad, head of the Loyalty to the Resistance parliamentary bloc, and MP Artur Nazarian, head of the Armenian-Lebanese Friendship Committee.

“For this reason, the resistance [Hezbollah] was and will continue [to exist] as long as the danger remains [high] for our territory and threatens our rights," Berri added.

Resolution 425, adopted on March 19, 1978, five days after the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, called on an immediate Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon. It also established the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). UNSCR 1701 called for full cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel following the July-August 2006 war between Lebanon and the Jewish state.

Berri said letting go of the resistance was “just like someone calling for Israel to occupy the land.”

The speaker also warned against inciting sectarian strife in Syria as this would have a negative impact on the region.

At the economic level, Berri said there were many opportunities for investment between Lebanon and Armenia, including the development of relations in the tourism sector.