Miqati’s Sources Deny U.S. Trying to Hamper Cooperation with Iran

Sources close to Premier Najib Miqati denied that a visit made by U.S. Ambassador Maura Connelly to the Grand Serail on Friday was aimed at thwarting meetings scheduled to be held by the Higher Lebanese-Iranian committee next month.

In remarks to As Safir daily published Saturday, the sources said: “We are not aware of any such move and the U.S. ambassador’s visit to the Serail had nothing to do with it.”

“Lebanon does not wait for instructions from anyone and knows its interest,” they said. “The Lebanese government works for the Lebanese interest first and for good relations with friendly countries.”

Their comments came as informed sources told As Safir that the U.S. is seeking to foil the meetings of the committee and of the joint economic committee, and to prevent the implementation of the series of agreements signed between Lebanon and Iran and any attempt to strike new deals or cooperation protocols.

“Lebanon has good relations with Iran similar to other countries,” Miqati’s sources said, adding “there are a lot of areas for joint cooperation.”

As Safir quoted Iranian Ambassador Ghazanfar Roknabadi as saying that Beirut and Tehran have signed around 32 agreements.

“Through the upcoming meetings, we confirm our readiness to start an implementation program for these agreements,” he said.

The ambassador also said that Iran is ready to sign any new cooperation protocol with Lebanon, including in the field of the judiciary.