Iranian Parliament Speaker: “The Main Pillar of the Lebanese People is Leader Ali Khamenei!”

22nd October 2024

2 minutes read

Iranian Parliament Speaker: "The Main Pillar of the Lebanese People is Leader Ali Khamenei!"

After sparking controversy two days ago over negotiations with France regarding Lebanon, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf made new statements, asserting that “the main pillar of the Lebanese people is Leader Ali Khamenei, along with Iranian officials and the people of Iran,” according to his words.

He further added in a press interview on Sunday that “the strategic defeats suffered by the Zionists on the ground have made the situation extremely difficult for Israel,” as he put it. Ghalibaf, as reported by “Al-Arabiya.net,” also “thanked all the Lebanese citizens and officials who showed him affection during his visit to Lebanon.” He stated: “But we must not forget that we are all soldiers in the service of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

For his part, Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, in a statement, described Ghalibaf’s remarks as blatant interference in Lebanese affairs and an attempt to impose an unacceptable guardianship over Lebanon.

Mikati said: “We are surprised by this position, which constitutes blatant interference in Lebanese affairs and an attempt to impose an unacceptable guardianship over Lebanon. We had already informed the Iranian Foreign Minister and the Speaker of the Majlis (Islamic Consultative Assembly) during their recent visits to Lebanon of the need to understand Lebanon’s situation, especially since Lebanon is facing an unprecedented Israeli aggression, and we are working with all of Lebanon’s friends, including France, to press Israel to cease its attacks.”

Ghalibaf sparked controversy in Lebanon two days ago when Mikati expressed surprise at the Iranian Parliament Speaker’s comments that Tehran was ready to negotiate with France regarding the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 in southern Lebanon.

Mikati also emphasized that the issue of negotiations to implement this international resolution is exclusively within the authority of the Lebanese state and that everyone should support this process rather than seeking to impose new forms of unacceptable guardianship in all respects.

It is worth noting that the Iranian Parliament Speaker visited Beirut on October 12, where he reaffirmed his country’s support for Hezbollah and the Lebanese people.

He also proposed delivering aid to Lebanon, provided that it is transported via a direct relief bridge between Tehran and Beirut, under government supervision. It is notable that several Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as Jordan and Egypt, had sent relief shipments in recent months, and continue to do so.