Outgoing Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati receiving Ali Larijani, advisor to the Iranian Supreme Leader, at the Grand Serail on Nov. 15, 2024. (Credit: @grandserail/X)
Lebanon's outgoing Prime Minister Najib Mikati called on Iran on Friday “not to favor one side over another” and to avoid taking positions that could affect the “sensitivities” of either side, during a meeting with Ali Larijani, adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
In recent weeks, Mikati has raised his voice against Iran and its “attempts to interfere” in Lebanese affairs. Earlier this week, at an Arab and Islamic summit in Riyadh, he called for an “end to foreign interference,” without specifically mentioning Tehran. In mid-October, he openly accused Iran of interference and “attempted trusteeship,” in reaction to statements made by Iranian Parliament Speaker, who had claimed — then denied — in an interview with Le Figaro that Tehran was ready to negotiate on the future of southern Lebanon.
Larijani arrived in Beirut at around 9:30 a.m. on Friday, just as the southern suburbs of the capital were being bombed by Israel. Rafik-Hariri International Airport (RHIA) is located on the edge of the southern suburbs, considered a Hezbollah stronghold.
During the meeting, and according to a statement from his press office, Mikati received the Iranian advisor in the presence of Ambassador Mohammad Reza Chaibani, Special Representative of the Iranian Foreign Minister for the Middle East. During the meeting, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of “supporting the position of the Lebanese State” on the implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701. Adopted in 2006 to put an end to hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, this text stipulates that only the Lebanese Army and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) may operate south of the Litani River. However, Hezbollah, backed by Tehran, has maintained a significant presence in this region, which Israeli air strikes and ground offensives now claim to be destroying.
According to the head of government, Beirut “gives priority to ending Israeli hostilities against Lebanon and to the application of 1701 in its entirety, without any amendment or interpretation.” Within this framework, diplomatic “contacts” are continuing, he assured. Mikati also called for “supporting national unity and not taking positions that arouse sensitivities among the Lebanese and favor one side over the other.”
For his part, Larijani stressed that “Iran supports any decision taken by the government,” particularly with regard to Resolution 1701, and “supports the election of a president who will be accepted” by all.
After his visit to the Serail, Larijani was received in Ain al-Tineh by the head of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri.
Larijani indicated that Tehran would support “any decision taken by the resistance and the Lebanese government,” denying any intention to “sabotage” the cease-fire talks.
“We are not looking to sabotage anything. We are after a solution to the problems,” said Larijani.