Lebanon's Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri during a parliamentary session for the election of Lebanon's president, late 2022. (Credit: Lebanese Parliament)
BEIRUT — Lebanon's Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri Saturday welcomed the "historic agreement" reached Friday between Saudi Arabia and Iran to restore their diplomatic relations, severed for more than seven years.
Riyadh and Tehran severed diplomatic relations in 2016 after protesters in Iran attacked Saudi diplomatic missions following the kingdom's execution of a Shiite cleric.
The two capitals announced Friday that, in a China-brokered deal, they had agreed to restore relations and reopen their respective embassies. Many expect this agreement to have a positive impact on the Near and Middle East, where Iran and Saudi Arabia compete for influence.
In Lebanon, the news was welcomed by Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Iranian-backed party Hezbollah, who saw it as a "positive development."
"We welcome this historic agreement and rely on the wisdom of the Saudi and Iranian authorities to continue their sincere efforts to turn a new page that will pave the way for similar strong relations between Iran and its Arab neighbors," said Amal Movement leader Berri in a statement.
He stressed the need for these relations to be based on "mutual respect for the sovereignty and independence of all countries and strengthening the bonds of friendship and brotherhood, as well as the common interests of the peoples of the region, their security and peace."
The house speaker also praised the efforts of China, as well as Iraq and the Sultanate of Oman, which have promoted the "gradual return of [Iranian-Saudi] relations to their natural framework."
Berri insisted on "the need for Lebanese political forces and parties to agree quickly to meet their constitutional obligations in a timely manner, including the election of a President of the Republic, through understanding and dialogue."
"Let's stop wasting time and missing opportunities," he said. "Let's prove to our brothers and friends that we have attained national maturity, that we are truly sovereign and that we deserve Lebanon."
Amal and Hezbollah this week formalized their support for the presidential candidacy of Marada Movement leader Sleiman Frangieh, but Frangieh does not have the support of the main Christian parties, namely the Lebanese Forces and the Free Patriotic Movement.
Many observers believe that the restoration of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia could significantly influence the outcome of the presidential election.