Lebanon must 'break free from Iran', Israel FM tells UN envoy

Meeting with the visiting U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has stresses the need for Lebanon to free itself from perceived Iranian influence.

Saar warned that “Iran is smuggling funds to Hezbollah in Lebanon to rebuild its strength,” adding that “Lebanon has an opportunity to break free from the Iranian occupation,” according to Saar’s office in its readout of the sit-down with Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert.

During the meeting in Jerusalem, Saar also presented Israel’s position on security matters such as the five occupied posts where the Israeli army remains in south Lebanon, as well as a range of issues related to the implementation of the ceasefire agreement.

Israel withdrew its troops from most of south Lebanon in early February, but left soldiers at what it said were key positions inside Lebanon. Lebanese officials say it is a violation of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire that ended the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.