Lebanon’s Prime Minister Tammam Salam called on Tehran to help end the political crisis in the country.
In a meeting with Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee Chairman Alaeddin Boroujerdi on Saturday in Beirut, the Lebanese official appealed to Tehran to help put an end to the political vacuum in the Arab country.
The parliamentarian pledged to convey the message to Iranian officials, Fars news agency reported. Since former president Michel Suleiman’s 6 year term ended in May 2014, Lebanese political groups have still not selected a successor due to their differences.
Elsewhere, Boroujerdi expressed support for the resistance front and called it a source of power in Lebanon and a deterrent against Israeli aggressions. After the official’s emphasis on Tehran’s resolve to develop cordial relations with Beirut, the Lebanese prime minister said, “We also insist on maintaining the warmest relations with Iran and are hopeful to be able to help establish such friendly relations (between Iran and) all Lebanese groups.”
Addressing the lawmaker, Salam said, “As you backed the formation of cabinets during (previous) complicated conditions (in Lebanon), we hope you will help fill the current political vacuum.”
Heading a parliamentary delegation, Boroujerdi arrived in Beirut on Thursday to attend a memorial service for the six Hezbollah members and a top Iranian commander who were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Syria near the occupied Golan Heights on January 18. During the official visit to Lebanon, the parliamentarian also held separate meetings with Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah, Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil.
No Intervention in Lebanon
Elsewhere and in response to calls for Tehran’s mediation between Hezbollah and other Lebanese groups on the dispute over the election of a new president, Boroujerdi rejected any interference in the Arab country’s internal affairs and reiterated that Hezbollah should make decisions on the internal issues in Lebanon, including the presidential crisis, by itself, ISNA reported. Boroujerdi said Iran is in close contact with Hezbollah on regional issues, such as clashes with Israel and the threat posed by terrorists, but he said Tehran makes no intervention in Lebanon’s internal affairs, while it is prepared to do its utmost to help maintain stability and security in Lebanon.
