Lebanon’s president has told a senior Iranian official that Beirut rejects any interference in its internal affairs and has criticised Tehran’s statements on plans to disarm Hezbollah as “unconstructive”.

Beirut

A senior Iranian official, Ali Larijani, visited Beirut and was received by Hezbollah members rather than high-ranking Lebanese state representatives, highlighting current diplomatic dynamics. During his visit, Larijani reiterated Iran's opposition to Lebanon's decision to disarm Hezbollah, emphasizing that foreign countries should not dictate Lebanon's internal affairs. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun responded by stating that no party should carry weapons or seek foreign support as leverage, and described Iran's statements as unconstructive.

The visit coincided with ongoing international efforts, including a U.S. proposal for Hezbollah's disarmament in exchange for a phased Israeli withdrawal and economic support for Lebanon. Analysts suggest Iran is aiming to maintain its influence in Lebanon and the broader region, despite recent setbacks to its so-called 'axis of resistance.' The issue of Hezbollah's disarmament remains complex, involving both regional and internal Lebanese dynamics.

Lebanon rejects foreign interference, president tells Iran official

The senior Iranian official received at the Beirut airport, not by high-ranking representatives of the Lebanese state, but by members of Iran's ally Hezbollah. It was telling for the state of relations between the two countries. The head of Iran's top national security body, Ali Larijani, was among Iranian officials who in recent days said they opposed the Lebanese government's decision to disarm Hezbollah. In Beirut, he used diplomatic language, but he didn't back down. Foreign countries should not direct demand to Lebanon. The Lebanese people can make their own decisions, and we respect any decision the Lebanese government makes in cooperation with the factions. Larijani was referring to Hezbollah, whose supporters greeted him at the airport. Despite being militarily weakened by Israel, Hezbollah is still a political force here and is resisting the Lebanese state's decision to fully disarm it. It's the least we can do to come out and welcome him, because there is no country in the world other than the Islamic Republic of Iran that stood with us. But the new leadership in Lebanon told the Iranian official there is no turning back on its decision. No party can carry weapons and seek foreign support as leverage, was what President Joseph Aoun said. He also called Iran's statements on plans to disarm Hezbollah unconstructive. Before arriving in Beirut, Larijani was in Baghdad, where Iran's allies are also under pressure. But Larijani signed a security agreement with the Iraqi government, a deal the U.S. said would turn Iraq into a client state of Iran. There are those who believe Larijani's regional tour is part of an effort by Iran, if not to revive, at the least to send a message that its so-called axis of resistance still exists despite suffering setbacks. It also comes days before U.S. envoy Tom Barrack is expected back in the Lebanese capital for his fourth visit in recent weeks to a country which has long been a battleground for outside powers. Larijani's visit is seen as an indication that Tehran is not giving up its influence here. It is also seen as a message that Iran can't be sidelined in any decision regarding Hezbollah. Zainal Khader Al-Shazira, Beirut. The United States has presented Lebanon with a proposal for disarming Hezbollah by the end of the year. Phase one requires the Lebanese government to commit to Hezbollah's full disarmament by December 31st, in return for Israel halting all its attacks. In phase two, Lebanon will begin implementing the disarmament plan within 60 days and the government will approve troop redeployments. Then Israel would begin withdrawing from the south and releasing Lebanese prisoners. In phase three, which should happen within 90 days, Israel is to withdraw from the last two of the five disputed border positions and money is to be secured for reconstruction. And in phase four, Hezbollah's remaining heavy weapons are to be dismantled and Lebanon's allies will organize an economic conference to support its economic recovery. This is to happen within 120 days of the plan. Lorenzo Trombetta is a senior Middle East analyst for the Italian news agency who has been covering Lebanon for 20 years. He explains what Iran could be trying to achieve through this visit. It's clear that Iran is resuming its efforts to stay present in the same Mediterranean Sea. Before Lebanon, Larijan's visit to Baghdad a few days ago confirmed that Iran's urgency to reinvigorate its battered so-called axis of resistance against this U.S.-Israeli new order in the region. And Larijan's message to Beirut is centered on Iran's intent to resist this influence despite its weakening in Lebanon and, of course, in neighboring Syria. In this regard, the Islamic Republic still sees Hezbollah and its popular base as vital tools for regional containment. I think Larijan's message is particularly relevant in this case. Hezbollah, the party of God in Lebanon, is a crucial part of its axis, despite all the tensions that occurred in the past month between the same leadership of Hezbollah and the leadership in Tehran. But disarming Hezbollah is a very complex issue, as it's not only a regional dynamic, but it's also an internal Lebanese dynamic, as you mentioned before from Beirut. And we need to nuance a little bit between the weaponry that Hezbollah has, not only to directly threaten Israel, but also to deter in some ways the Lebanese authorities, very close now to the U.S., to force Hezbollah to fully surrender to this new Israeli-U.S. order.

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