Caretaker Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, and his Iranian interim counterpart, Ali Bagheri, held a meeting during Bagheri's first trip to Lebanon. Bagheri was appointed as foreign minister following the death of his predecessor Hossein Amir-Abdolahian in a helicopter accident on May 19, which also claimed the life of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. The war in Gaza and the conflict in southern Lebanon between Hezbollah and Israel figured prominently in the discussions between the two men, as they both confirmed at a joint press conference following their meeting.

“I reiterated the Lebanese position, which is hostile to war,” declared Bou Habib during the press conference. He said he had “explained [to the Iranian minister] the Lebanese vision of lasting solutions that would bring peace and stability to the South, within a comprehensive framework that would include the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701” (which ended the war with Israel in 2006 and notably imposed a withdrawal of Hezbollah fighters as far north as the Litani River), he said.

Bagheri underlined “Iran's long-standing commitment to stability, security and development in Lebanon.” “The close relationship between the two countries is an essential indicator of stability in the region, as is resistance,” continued the Iranian diplomat.

The war in Gaza and the Israeli attacks on Rafah, in the south of the Strip, which have claimed many lives in recent days, were also at the heart of the discussions. Bagheri referred to a joint proposal discussed with his Lebanese counterpart, which involves “launching an initiative for an emergency meeting of the foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation with a view to firm, coordinated measures” to protect Rafah.

During his tour of Beirut, Bagheri was also received by Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri with whom he discussed “developments” in Lebanon. He also met caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati at the Serail. The Iranian diplomat is also expected to meet Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah and Palestinian organizations allied with Iran.

Bagheri's predecessor had made numerous visits to Beirut in recent months, particularly against the backdrop of the war in Gaza and Hezbollah's opening of a front in “support of the Palestinian resistance” along the border between Lebanon and Israel on Oct. 8, 2023.

This article originally appeared in French in L'Orient-Le Jour.