Iran’s Larijani in Lebanon as Beirut, Tehran spar over Hezbollah disarmament
The visit of Iran’s top security chief Ali Larijani to Beirut comes amid tensions between Lebanon and Iran following the approval of a plan to disarm the Iranian-backed Hezbollah, which also rejected the move and vowed not to give up its weapons.
BEIRUT — Iran’s top security official, Ali Larijani, arrived in Beirut on Wednesday as tensions between the two countries escalated following the Lebanese government’s approval of the main objectives of a US plan to completely disarm Hezbollah, Tehran's main proxy group in the region.
What happened: Larijani first met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the presidential palace, where Aoun reiterated his rejection of foreign interference while stressing Lebanon’s desire to maintain strong ties with Iran and protect its national sovereignty.
“Lebanon is willing to cooperate with Iran within the framework of national sovereignty and mutual respect,” Aoun told Larijani, according to a statement from the Lebanese presidency.
“We reject any interference in our internal affairs from any party,” he said, adding, “Lebanon, which never interferes in the affairs of any other country and respects their particularities — including those of Iran — does not accept anyone interfering in its internal affairs."
