Iran Makes Official Protest to Lebanon over al-Mashnouq's Statement
Iran's ambassador, Ghazanfar Roknabadi, said Friday that he delivered a letter to Lebanese authorities protesting a recent statement made by Interior Minister Nuhad al-Mashnouq against Tehran.
The diplomat told reporters after meeting Premier Tammam Salam at the Grand Serail that the official letter of protest was made over al-Mashnouq's remarks against Tehran's regime at the meeting of Arab Interior Ministers in Morocco.
“PM Salam confirmed to me that his (al-Mashnouq's) stance against the Islamic Republic does not express the position of the Lebanese government,” Roknabadi said.
Salam stressed that he is keen on “the best of ties” with Iran, he added.
A Baabda Palace statement said that Roknabadi also briefed President Michel Suleiman on the content of the letter that he delivered to the foreign ministry.
The statement quoted Suleiman as telling the diplomat that Lebanon stressed mutual respect and non-interference in the internal affairs of countries.
In his speech at the 31st Arab Interior Ministers conference held in Marrakesh on Wednesday, al-Mashnouq blamed Iran for the rise of terrorist activities in Lebanon.
“Despite the strong capabilities of the army and security forces, we have failed to” confront terrorism militarily, he said.
“The phenomenon of violence has its political and strategic reasons, resulting from the interference of Iran and Syria in Lebanon's internal affairs in the past three decades and more,” he said.
“The bloodshed in Syria and Lebanon rose because the Syrian regime is confronting a rebellion and Iran is facing major fateful challenges,” the minister added.
He also blamed Iran for the violence in Arab countries.
“The major part of this violence in several Arab states, including Lebanon, is the result of the unstable ties with Iran,” he said.
“This should compel politicians, foreign ministers, leaders of major parties and heads of state … to confront the challenge,” al-Mashnouq added.
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