عون للاريجاني: نرفض أي تدخل في شؤوننا الداخلية

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun emphasized during a meeting with Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani that Lebanon rejects any interference in its internal affairs from any party. He stated in a statement today (Wednesday): "We reject any interference in our internal affairs from any party... and we want the Lebanese arena to remain safe and stable for the benefit of all Lebanese without discrimination." Aoun affirmed that it is not permissible for any party, without exception, to carry weapons and seek support from abroad, stressing that the Lebanese state and its armed forces are responsible for the security of all Lebanese without exception. He said that any challenges coming from the Israeli enemy or others are challenges for all Lebanese, not just for one faction, and the most important weapon to confront them is the unity of the Lebanese people. The Lebanese president clarified that his country "is willing to cooperate with Iran within the limits of sovereignty and friendship based on mutual respect." He added that "the language that Lebanon has heard recently from some Iranian officials is not helpful," pointing out that "the friendship we want to build between Lebanon and Iran should not be through one sect or one Lebanese component but with all Lebanese."

Larijani announced upon his arrival in Beirut that his country stands by the Lebanese people in all circumstances. He told reporters at Beirut Airport, where he was received by a delegation from Hezbollah and its ally Amal Movement: "If the Lebanese people suffer one day, we in Iran will also feel this pain, and we will stand by the dear Lebanese people in all circumstances." He added: "We will always strive to achieve the national interests of the Lebanese people."

Larijani confirmed after meeting with Speaker of the House Nabih Berri in Ain al-Tineh that "Lebanon is a friendly country for us, and we have many historical ties, and today we have the best relations with it."

He said: "We believe that through friendly, comprehensive, and serious dialogue in Lebanon, this country can come up with sound decisions."

He added that the unity of Lebanon and its success in achievements, development, and prosperity is important, and Iran's policy is based on making independent countries in the region strong, which is contrary to what some countries tend to do.

Last week, the Lebanese government tasked the army with developing an implementation plan for disarming Hezbollah before the end of this year. The party rejected the decision, asserting that it would treat it "as if it does not exist," and accused the government of committing a "major sin."

Tehran, through the remarks of the Iranian Supreme Leader's advisor Ali Akbar Velayati, quickly confirmed its opposition to disarming Hezbollah, stating that it has always supported the Lebanese people and the resistance and continues to do so, according to its expression.

Velayati's statements prompted a response from the Lebanese Foreign Ministry, which considered them "a blatant and unacceptable interference in internal affairs."