Lebanon’s Caretaker Prime Minister Accuses Iran of Interference
In a rare diplomatic confrontation, Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati has publicly accused Iran of meddling in the internal affairs of Lebanon. This accusation follows remarks made by Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf, who stated that Iran is prepared to facilitate negotiations aimed at achieving a cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah.
Mikati described Ghalibaf’s comments as “a blatant interference in Lebanese affairs.” In response, he summoned the Iranian ambassador to Lebanon—a significant and unusual diplomatic rebuke for a Lebanese official, given the profound influence that Iran-backed Hezbollah wields over the country.
In an interview with France’s Le Figaro, Ghalibaf expressed Iran’s willingness to engage in discussions with France concerning the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701. This U.N. resolution marked the conclusion of the last conflict between Hezbollah and Israel in 2006 and is viewed as a critical step toward establishing a cease-fire in Lebanon.
“The issue of negotiating to implement international resolution 1701 is a matter to be handled by the Lebanese state,” stated Mikati, emphasizing that all parties should support this endeavor rather than attempt to impose new mandates. He stressed the importance of respecting Lebanon’s sovereignty in these discussions.
- The 2006 agreement mandated the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory.
- It stipulated that only the Lebanese army and U.N. peacekeepers could conduct military operations in southern Lebanon.
- Despite its intentions, the agreement has been viewed as largely ineffective, though it has gained renewed attention amid the ongoing conflict.
Since the Hamas-led assault on Israel last year, tensions have escalated, with Israel engaged in cross-border exchanges of fire with Hezbollah—a group that is both a militant organization and a significant political party in Lebanon. The situation has deteriorated further in recent weeks, prompting Israel to launch incursions into southern Lebanon to dismantle Hezbollah’s border infrastructure.
Although Ghalibaf’s chief adviser later sought to downplay the remarks, asserting that they were misrepresented, the damage to diplomatic relations had already been done. Following this, Tehran’s envoy in Beirut was called in for clarification. During this meeting, Lebanese officials reiterated the necessity of preserving national sovereignty while pursuing a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing strife, as highlighted in a statement from Lebanon’s foreign ministry.
Mikati has consistently reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the complete implementation of the U.N. resolution, aiming to end the violence that has claimed thousands of lives and displaced over one million people in Lebanon. Nevertheless, the caretaker government is largely perceived as incapable of restraining Hezbollah’s activities.
In a televised address last week, Mikati remarked, “The diplomatic solution remains on the table,” signifying his hope for a peaceful resolution amidst the ongoing turmoil.