Lebanon summons Iranian envoy in Beuirt over Iran’s parliament speaker comments

By Stephanie Radi

BEIRUT (AA) – The Lebanese Foreign Ministry on Friday summoned the charge d’affaires at the Iranian embassy in Beirut over comments made by the Iranian parliament speaker that the government deemed "blatant interference in Lebanese affairs."

In an interview with the French newspaper Le Figaro on Thursday, Iran’s parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf said his country is willing to negotiate with France on a cease-fire between Hezbollah and Israel in Lebanon, including the implementation of UN resolution 1701.

According to the ministry, Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib directed Secretary-General Hani Chmaitli to summon the Iranian charge d'affaires.

Chmaitli told the Iranian charge d'affaires that Lebanon is exerting diplomatic efforts to end the Israeli aggression against Lebanon by implementing Resolution 1701 in a way that protects Lebanon's sovereignty and security.

The statement quoted the charge d'affaires as emphasizing "Iran's understanding and commitment to Lebanon and its sovereignty in the light of (its current) difficult and sensitive circumstances."

Earlier on Friday, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned Ghalibaf's remarks as an unwarranted intrusion into Lebanese affairs.

Mikati said that “the negotiation regarding the implementation of UN Resolution 1701 is a matter for the Lebanese state to handle. Support for this direction is essential, rather than seeking to impose new, unacceptable oversight based on national and sovereign considerations.”

UN Resolution 1701, adopted unanimously by the Security Council on Aug. 11, 2006, calls for a complete cessation of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel and the establishment of a zone free of armed personnel and military equipment, except for those belonging to the Lebanese army and UN peacekeeping forces (UNIFIL).

Israel has mounted a huge air campaign in Lebanon against what it claims are Hezbollah targets since Sept. 23, killing more than 1,500 people and displacing more than 1 million.

The aerial campaign is an escalation from a year of cross-border warfare between Israel and Hezbollah since the start of its offensive on the Gaza Strip, in which Israel has killed at least 42,500 people, most of them women and children, since a Hamas attack last year.

Despite international warnings that the Mideast was on the brink of a regional war amid Israel’s relentless attacks on Gaza and Lebanon, it expanded the conflict on Oct. 1 by launching an incursion into southern Lebanon.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar