Ghalibaf to meet Lebanese officials, hoping to improve relations

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
Today 06:37

Iran's parliament speaker will head a high-level delegation at the funeral processions of Lebanon's martyred leaders before meeting with government officials.

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Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaks during a press conference in Beirut, Lebanon, on October 12, 2024. (AP)

Iran's Speaker of the Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf will arrive in Lebanon ahead of the funeral processions for historic leader martyr Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and martyr leader Sayyed Hashem Saffiedine.

"The funeral ceremony for Sayyed Nasrallah will be a pivotal moment reflecting the greatness of this martyr and the greatness of the Lebanese people," the parliament speaker told reporters.

Before departing from Tehran, Ghalibaf, who is heading a high-level delegation, spoke to reporters saying that he would meet with top Lebanese officials to improve bilateral relations between the two countries.

Al Mayadeen's correspondent reported that the delegation will include members of the office of the Iranian leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei, as well as ministers, members of the parliament, and other officials.

It is worth noting that Ghalibaf visited Beirut amid the Israeli aggression on Lebanon, in October 2024. At the time, the Israeli regime had threatened to act against any Iranian civilian jet landing at the Beirut International Airport. However, the retired Brigadier General of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Air Force, piloted the jet to Beirut.

Early on Sunday morning, Ghalibaf told reporters that he hopes that talks with Lebanese officials will mark a turning point in improving relations between the two countries. This comes after the Lebanese government made a decision to halt flights from and to Iran, citing European sanctions on Tehran. The decision, which sparked outrage in the country, was also made in concurrence with Israeli warnings made against the Lebanese government.