Iran FM meets officials in Beirut, says ready for economic cooperation

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen & Agencies
1 Sep 2023 16:18

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian maintains that Lebanon's presidential file is purely an internal Lebanese matter.

Lebanon's Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib (R) shakes hands with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian following a press conference in Beirut on September 1, 2023 (AFP)

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said Friday during a press conference held with his Lebanese counterpart, Abdallah Bou Habib, that they had productive discussions, announcing that an agreement was reached to make extensive efforts on bilateral ties.

"We have once again expressed our readiness for economic cooperation, and Iranian companies are ready to help solve Lebanon's electricity problem," Amir-Abdollahian said. "The Lebanese presidential elections are an internal matter, and Iran refuses to interfere in the affairs of other countries."

Amir-Abdollahian met with and held talks with Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut.

Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Mojataba Amani and Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani were also present at the meeting.

Reportedly, the two sides conferred on the latest political developments in the region and Lebanon.

Moreover, Amir-Abdollahian met with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, and during the meeting, he noted that "Iran's assessment regarding the progress of relations with Saudi Arabia is positive" and that "improving relations between Riyadh and Tehran yielded positive results for both countries and regional developments."

"The election of a president and the formation of a new Lebanese government are of paramount importance," the top Iranian diplomat said, stressing the importance of Lebanon's stability and security to Iran and the entire region.

"This is a domestic matter, and it concerns the Lebanese people and their leaders," Amir-Abdollahian said. "Iran supports the Parliament Speaker's efforts, as well as those made by the Lebanese political factions, to elect a president."

On his part, Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament Nabih Berri affirmed that the most important issue in Lebanon is the presidency, and efforts to reach an agreement among Lebanese parties in this regard continue.

He emphasized that "one of the main reasons for pressure on Lebanon is targeting the resistance," emphasizing that "the resistance, which stands with Lebanon against threats, along with the army, is the cornerstone of the country's security."

Amir-Abdollahian arrived in Lebanon on Thursday on a short visit after meeting with President Bashar al-Assad in Syria.

Just yesterday, he met with the leadership of Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) in Beirut in a closed meeting, during which he reaffirmed Iran's commitment to supporting the Palestinian people, their resistance, and the issue of liberating the land.

Following a closed meeting in Beirut with the leaders of Hamas and PIJ, the Iranian diplomat confirmed Tehran's adherence to the strategy of supporting the Palestinian people, their Resistance, and the cause of liberating Palestine.

He had previously visited Lebanon in late April, and during the visit, he went to the Lebanese-occupied Palestinian border.

Ahead of his latest visit to Lebanon, the Iranian Foreign Minister made a visit to Syria, wherein he arrived in Damascus and participated in a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart, Faisal al-Miqdad.

Iran's Foreign Minister condemned the "brutal attacks by the Israeli occupation on Aleppo airport and other civilian areas in Syria." He stressed that acts of aggression and crimes by the occupation have not gone unanswered in the region and that they will continue to be addressed in the future.

"We have agreed that the Iran-Syria Joint High Commission will convene in Tehran soon, chaired by Iran's First Vice President and Syria's Prime Minister. We are particularly focused on enhancing trade relations and economic cooperation, especially among businessmen and traders from both countries," he added.

He further expressed his satisfaction with the resumption of pilgrimage and tourism trips for Iranians to Syria. He also discussed the activities of terrorist groups and the US efforts to organize these groups while maintaining their occupying presence in Syria under the pretext of fighting ISIS.