Suleiman Relays to Ahmadinejad Keenness on Ties Based on Mutual Respect
President Michel Suleiman sent a clear message to his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Monday about Lebanon’s keenness on the mutual respect in their bilateral relations.
A statement issued by the presidential palace, said Suleiman discussed with Iranian ambassador Ghazanfar Roknabadi the latest controversial remarks of the commander of Iran's Quds Force, Brig. Gen. Qasem Soleimani.
The commander had said that the people of southern Lebanon and Iraq are under the effect of Iran’s “way of practice and thinking.”
But his remarks were badly translated into Arabic and interpreted to mean that south Lebanon was under the Islamic republic’s influence.
Roknabadi reiterated to Suleiman the clarifications of the Iranian foreign ministry, the Baabda palace statement said.
“Upon hearing the clarifications, President Suleiman asked Ambassador Roknabadi to relay to the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Lebanon’s keenness on the establishment of bilateral ties with a friendly state based on mutual respect and noninterference in internal affairs.”
Al-Mustaqbal movement MP Nohad al-Mashnouq urged Prime Minister Najib Miqati on Sunday to cut diplomatic relations with Tehran to protest Soleimani’s alleged remarks.
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