Araghchi says Iran ready to cooperate with KSA on Lebanon
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stressed that Tehran is not “interfering in Lebanon’s internal affairs.”
“But that does not prevent us from expressing our opinions and stances and this is what all countries are doing. Saudi Arabia for example is expressing its viewpoint on Lebanon and that is not considered interference,” Araghchi said in an interview with Saudi Arabia’s Asharq al-Awsat newspaper.
“The real interference is by those who are occupying Lebanese land or proposing bizarre plans for undermining and subjugating Lebanon,” the Iranian minister added.
As for the decision on Hezbollah’s arms, Araghchi said such a decision “belongs to Hezbollah itself.”
“Hezbollah has announced a proposal based on national dialogue to determine the security strategy for Lebanon with the participation of all components, and we’re sure of one reality: Israel wants all of the region’s countries to be weak, disarmed, scattered and brawling,” the minister added.
“It is true that over the past months the resistance suffered blows and damage and they think that it has become weak, that’s why they want to remove its arms, but Hezbollah’s disarmament is a plan that is 100 percent Israeli, and I reiterate that the decision in this regard belongs to Hezbollah, the Lebanese government and the Lebanese themselves, whereas we only express our opinion,” Araghchi went on to say.
The Iranian minister also said that Tehran is willing to cooperate with Riyadh on the Lebanese file, revealing that his meeting in Jeddah with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan had involved “a good discussion over Lebanon.”
“Yes there are disagreements, but we talked calmly and in a positive atmosphere. We are ready to continue this discussion and dialogue with the Saudi side until we reach a point that can help resolve this file,” Araghchi added.
He stated: “I have no doubt that Saudi Arabia wants to help the Lebanese people, and so do we, but the tools and means can be different. I am, however, full of hope that we can reach a common point.”
