Lebanon’s leadership openly accused Iran of meddling in its affairs on Wednesday, as Iranian Security Chief Ali Larijani arrived in Beirut for high-level meetings.
“We reject any interference in our internal affairs,” said Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, referring to the Iranian government’s close ties to the Hezbollah terror group.
“It is forbidden for anyone…to bear arms and to use foreign backing as leverage,” he said, according to a report from AFP.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam reportedly made a similar statement.
“Lebanon will not accept, in any form, any interference in its internal affairs, and expects from the Iranian side a clear and explicit commitment to respect these principles,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the Iranian government, Larijani denied that Iran was interfering in Lebanese affairs, accusing the United States instead.
“Iran didn’t bring any plan to Lebanon – the U.S. did,” he said. “Those intervening in Lebanese affairs are the ones dictating plans and deadlines.”
He also told leaders in Lebanon: “Your enemy is Israel, your friend is the resistance.”
The exchange comes shortly after the Lebanese government committed to disarming Hezbollah and all other non-state armed groups.
Several Iranian officials publicly criticized the move, as Iran has funded and backed Hezbollah for decades.
Despite the public tension between the two countries, President Aoun said that Lebanon seeks to maintain a friendship with Iran.
“The friendship we seek with Iran must be with all Lebanese, not through one sect or component alone,” he said.
