Abdollahian says Iran refuses to interfere in Lebanon's affairs

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, who had arrived Thursday in Beirut, met Friday with Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib.

On Thursday, upon his arrival to Beirut's airport, Abdollahian said he will urge the Lebanese officials for a swift election of a president, adding that the Lebanese must choose their president themselves.

Earlier this week, French President Emmanuel Macron stressed that one of the keys to reaching a political solution in Lebanon would be "the need to clarify Iran's interference in the region."

Macron criticized the "regional destabilization activities that Iran has carried out in recent years." He thus affirmed that to restore a constructive engagement, it would be crucial for Iran to clarify its policy towards its direct neighbors, Israel and Lebanon.

In a joint press conference with Bou Habib, Abdollahian said the presidential file is an internal Lebanese affair and stressed that Iran refuses to interfere in other countries' affairs.

The Iranian Foreign Minister vowed to "continue to strongly support Lebanon" and reiterated that Iranian companies are ready to help the crisis-hit country solve its electricity problem.

"The economic cooperation between Lebanon and Iran would benefit both countries," Abdollahian said.

On Thursday, Abdollahian met with leaders of Palestinian factions including the leaderships of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Lebanon.

He affirmed Tehran’s "strong support" for the Palestinian people, their resistance and their cause, al-Mayadeen said.