Kaag Holds Talks on Lebanon with Iranian Officials

U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Sigrid Kaag on Monday held talks in Tehran with a number of Iranian officials, her office said.

“We discussed the importance of the Presidency for Lebanon, and reiterated our clear expectation that Lebanon’s leaders act in the national interest to elect a President without further delay,” Kaag said after the meetings.

“The Special Coordinator reiterated the concern of the Security Council and the International Support Group for Lebanon, that the vacuum in the Presidency of the Republic seriously undermines Lebanon’s ability to address its socio-economic and security challenges,” her office added.

The meetings focused on “the present situation in Lebanon, including issues related to peace and security, stability and stabilization.”

Discussions also covered U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Iran-backed Hizbullah and Israel.

Furthermore, the conferees tackled developments in region, “in particular the impact of the Syria crisis on Lebanon,” the office said.

Among those Kaag met in Tehran were Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Adviser on International Affairs to the Supreme Leader Ali Akbar Velayati, and Deputy FM for Arab and African Affairs Hussein Amir-Abdollahian.

“The visit to Tehran takes place in the context of the Special Coordinator's regular regional outreach,” her office said.

Lebanon has been without a president since May last year when the term of Michel Suleiman ended without the election of his successor.

Ongoing disputes between the rival March 8 and 14 camps have thwarted the elections.

The presidential vacuum has started to impact the work of the government and the parliament as well as security and military institutions.

Y.R.