Iran will make efforts to improve the economic situation in Lebanon and contribute to overcoming the political crisis. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, who arrived for a two-day official visit to Beirut, said this on Wednesday, Al Mayadeen TV reported.
"We have some ideas and initiatives, given the constructive changes that have occurred in the region," he said. - "Lebanon's security and prosperity are in Iran's interest, so we support the establishment of dialogue among Lebanese politicians."
Abdollahian reiterated that Iran "stands firmly on the side of the brotherly people of Lebanon, its leadership, army and resistance forces." "This visit is a good opportunity to hold consultations with Lebanese counterparts," the minister pointed out. - "We have always been in favor of negotiations and do not see war as a solution."
The Iranian foreign minister plans to hold talks with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib on April 27. He is expected to speak after the visit at a press conference at the Iranian embassy.
Abdollahian visited Lebanon Jan. 12-14, where he stated his desire to "build bridges of cooperation with brotherly Lebanon in various fields to help reconstruct its economy and develop bilateral trade ties."
As political scientist Mohammad Khawadzhoe of the Center for Middle East Studies in Tehran notes, Abdollahian's current visit comes amid the normalization of Saudi-Iranian relations, which has opened prospects for resolving crises in Yemen, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. "Riyadh and Tehran are major players in the Lebanese arena, and the key to overcoming the political vacuum is in their hands," he believes.
Presidential elections
On January 19, deputies of the Lebanese parliament failed to elect the president of the republic in the voting, which was held for the 11th time. The top state post has been vacant since October 31 last year after General Michel Aoun left the presidential palace at the end of his six-year term.
The first round of elections for the new head of the republic was held on September 29, and then deputies met for 10 more sessions, but the vote did not reveal a winner. None of the presidential candidates managed to win the support of 65 of the 128 lawmakers needed to get elected.
Speaker Berri said he would hold a new session of parliament "only when there are contenders who can garner a large number of votes."
On March 6, Sheikh Hassan Nasrullah, leader of the pro-Iranian Shiite Hezbollah party, who is Berri's ally, proposed nominating former Interior Minister Suleiman Frangieh as a consensus figure for head of state. According to the Shiite politician, "Lebanon needs a president who will not be afraid of the United States and its threats."
GSV "Russia - Islamic world"
Photo: آرش (Arche)/Creative Commons 3.0
Based on materials from TASS