Araghchi says Hezbollah arms 'Lebanese affair', not linked to nuclear file
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that his visit to Lebanon was not only aimed at signing his new book but was also part of Iran’s policy of “enhancing ties with the new Lebanese government.”
In an interview with Al-Manar television, Araghchi added that his talks in Lebanon were “fruitful and resulted in an agreement for expanding commercial and economic cooperation and increasing political coordination in a manner that respects the sovereignty of the two countries and the principle of noninterference in domestic affairs.”
He also stressed his country’s “full support for Lebanon’s independence and sovereignty,” calling for an end to the Israeli occupation of parts of south Lebanon.
As for the controversial issue of Hezbollah’s weapons, Araghchi emphasized that “this file is a purely Lebanese affair that must be discussed nationally between the Lebanese government and the various political and popular components.”
“The decision regarding this topic is to be taken by the resistance (Hezbollah) in coordination with the Lebanese forces,” the Iranian minister added.
Moreover, Araghchi denied the presence of any link between the Iranian nuclear file and the issue of Hezbollah’s arms, underscoring that “the nuclear negotiations with the United States are exclusively limited to the peaceful Iranian nuclear activities.”
Source: Naharnet
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