Military attack on Syria will be devastating for Arab leaders: Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (File photo)

The Lebanese parliament speaker has warned against any military aggression against Syria, stressing that the outcome of any missile attack on the Arab country plagued with foreign-sponsored militancy will be “devastating for Arab leaders.”

“An attack on Syria will have severe repercussions. The first victims of such an action would be the stability and unity of the (Middle East) region. It will also lead to more bloodshed and destruction in Syria, and more displacement of Syrians,” Nabih Berri said on Thursday.

He further noted that “Arab leaders have to bear the costs of a military onslaught on Syria, and the spending money will be paid out of their own pockets.”

“The results will be definitely devastating and destructive for their future, and for the stability of their nations,” Berri pointed out.

Lebanon's Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil (Photo by Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil has emphasized that Beirut will not allow the Lebanese airspace to be used for any strike on Syria.

“Lebanon opposes any aggression against any Arab country. The policy of dissociation from the Syrian conflict doesn’t mean following the Israeli suit, or letting the Lebanese airspace be used to attack Syria. It also doesn’t mean that we won’t counter terrorism,” Bassil said.

The top Lebanese diplomat also stated that any military action against Syria would not change the power equation in the Middle East.

US President Donald Trump has vowed to respond to an alleged use of chemical weapons against the city of Douma, located about 10 kilometers northeast of the capital Damascus, with missile strikes. Washington and its allies were quick to blame the Syrian government for the suspected attack without any evidence. Syria has firmly denied any links to the attack.

Russia, an ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has pledged to retaliate if the Pentagon does carry out strikes for the “bogus” chemical gas attack.

Syria has been gripped by foreign-backed militancy since March 2011. The Syrian government says the Israeli regime and its Western and regional allies are aiding Takfiri militant groups that are wreaking havoc in the country.