Iran describes Hizbullah's weapons as an internal Lebanese matter

Daily Star staff:

Iranian Ambassador Massoud Idrissi described the issue of Hizbullah's weapons and the Palestinian camps as Lebanon's internal affairs. Speaking after a meeting with Foreign Minister Mahmoud Hammoud on Monday, Idrissi said his country refused any UN resolution that addresses such issues, a reference to UN Security Council Resolution 1559, which calls for disarming of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militia. READ MORE

Washington, France and the European Union have stepped up pressure on Syria to withdraw its troops from Lebanon in line with the resolution, which also calls for an end to foreign interference in Lebanon.

Idrissi said the Lebanese people have expressed their attachment to the Lebanese resistance, and that therefore the United States should not be allowed to interfere with the issue of Hizbullah, especially since the U.S. only thinks about Israeli interests.

Idrissi said political cooperation between Iran and Lebanon will increase in the future on the international level.

"As you know, the Islamic Republic of Iran has proved that it is willing to help Lebanon in all circumstance," he said," Therefore, it is also willing in this sensitive and delicate stage to offer everything that could ensure Lebanon's higher interests."

Replying to a question on whether the Lebanese armed forces can play an active role on the security level after the withdrawal of Syrian troops, the ambassador expressed confidence in the Lebanese Army's capacity to fill the void left by Syrian troops.