Lebanon summons Iranian ambassador over Hezbollah disarmament comments
Ambassador Mojtaba Amani was told not to interfere in Lebanon 's internal affairs at the meeting on Thursday, as Beirut seeks to bring all weapons in the country under state control.
Ministry Secretary General Hani Chmeitli met Mr Amani and emphasised 'the necessity of adhering to the diplomatic principles outlined in international agreements concerning the sovereignty of states and non-interference in their internal affairs, foremost among them the Vienna Convention', Lebanon 's National News Agency reported.
This incident marks a rare public rebuke of Iran by Lebanese officials, highlighting the shifting dynamics within Lebanese politics.
The election of President Joseph Aoun and appointment of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in January ended more than two years of political impasse, raising hopes that the country can finally tackle its financial and political crises. A new government was formed in February.
Previously, Tehran had held sway over Lebanese affairs for years.
Lebanon's government is facing mounting international pressure to disarm Hezbollah and place all weapons under state authority. The group, once a dominant force in Lebanese politics and security, has been weakened by its war with Israel.
This month, Mr Aoun said 'the decision has been taken' to grant the state exclusive control over weapons in the country − a goal he said would be pursued through dialogue, not force.
On April 19, Mr Amani posted on X that 'the disarmament project is a clear conspiracy'.
'We in the Islamic Republic of Iran are aware of the danger of this conspiracy … we warn others not to fall into the trap of enemies,' wrote the Iranian ambassador.
In an interview with local broadcaster Al Jadeed on Wednesday, Mr Amani acknowledged that he was being summoned by the Foreign Ministry over the post. He said he missed the initial appointment, prompting a second summons on Thursday.
Earlier this month, following a visit to Lebanon, US deputy special envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus said that Hezbollah and other armed groups should be disarmed 'as soon as possible', and that Lebanese troops were expected to do the job.
Updated: April 25, 2025, 10:40 AM
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Filipino Times
7 hours ago
- Filipino Times
Remains of OFW killed in Iran-Israel missile strike return home
The remains of overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Leah Mosquera, who died from injuries sustained during an Iranian missile strike in Israel, arrived in the Philippines on Wednesday. Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac confirmed the repatriation in a Facebook post. Mosquera was critically injured when a missile struck a residential building in Rehovot, south of Tel Aviv, on June 15 amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. She was admitted to Shamir Medical Center and placed in intensive care but passed away on July 13. Two other Filipino workers were also injured in the incident but were released from the hospital after receiving treatment. Cacdac earlier paid tribute to Mosquera's dedication, calling her a symbol of the quiet heroism and strength of Filipino migrant workers. 'Her dedication and quiet heroism, we see the strength and sacrifices of our overseas Filipino workers who carry the hopes and dreams of their families, their communities, and our nation,' he said. The DMW and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) will provide full assistance to Mosquera's family.
The National
8 hours ago
- The National
Iran and European powers resume nuclear talks in Istanbul
Iran and European powers have begun talks in Istanbul over Tehran's nuclear programme, before a deadline to reimpose UN sanctions in September. Iran's nuclear negotiators and deputy foreign ministers, Kazem Gharibabadi and Majid Takht-Ravanchi, met in closed-door discussions with political directors from the foreign ministries of the UK, France and Germany at the Iranian consulate in Istanbul. These were the first in-person talks between Iran and the European countries, known as the E3, since the 12-day Israel-Iran war in June, and subsequent US air strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Last Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told foreign ministers from the E3 that they have no grounds to reactivate UN sanctions after they threatened to do so unless there is progress in nuclear talks. Speaking in Tehran on Thursday night, Mr Araghchi said his country's positions would be 'completely clear" in Friday's talks. "The Islamic Republic of Iran, while advancing its peaceful nuclear programme, has always been ready to adopt confidence-building measures", he added. 'Especially after the recent war, it is important for them [the E3] to understand that the Islamic Republic of Iran's position remains unshakable, and that our uranium enrichment will continue', the Tasnim news agency quoted Mr Araghchi as saying. The negotiations centre on the so-called snapback mechanism, which would allow remaining parties to the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers to reimpose UN sanctions on Tehran that are due to expire in the autumn. While the US left the 2015 nuclear deal in President Donald Trump 's first term, the E3, as well as China and Russia, are still parties to the agreement. In the deal's dispute resolution clauses, any of those parties can trigger a unilateral reimposition of UN sanctions, which include arms embargoes, asset freezes and restrictions on Iran's missile and nuclear programmes. Iranian officials have claimed repeatedly that European nations do not have the right to reimpose UN sanctions because they breached commitments under the 2015 deal and adopted what Tehran saw as pro-Israeli stances during the war in June. If the snapback process is not used and UN embargoes expire in October, Iran could in theory advance its nuclear programme without international restrictions, although remaining US sanctions would likely still complicate any such efforts. Clock ticking on sanctions Analysts and diplomats have said European powers could offer Iran an extension to the deadline. Without one, Germany, France and the UK must decide whether to activate the snapback process 30 days before the curbs expire completely on October 18. An extension would allow time for negotiations between Tehran and Washington in an attempt to reach a deal over Iran's nuclear programme, and impose limits on that activity in exchange for sanctions relief. Such a move would probably come in exchange for commitments from Iran to co-operate with international nuclear inspectors and re-engage in talks with the US. Iran said this week that it agreed to host a technical team from the UN nuclear watchdog to discuss future co-operation, while cautiously signalling openness to renewed talks with the US. The development comes after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian this month ended co-operation with the International Atomic Energy Agency and said it could only be restored if the agency addressed Tehran's concerns over perceived bias. "A snapback extension remains a difficult means to an even more difficult end – securing new US-Iran negotiations and a new nuclear deal," Ellie Geranmayeh, a senior fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, wrote in an analysis on the snapback mechanism this week. "But Europeans need to be fully invested in this process." Iranian officials have voiced scepticism over an extension. 'We oppose it,' Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told state media on Friday. The talks in Istanbul are an opportunity for European countries 'to make up for their previous unconstructive approaches that have tarnished Europe's credibility', he added. Iran and the US held five rounds of negotiations in Rome and Oman this year, before a sixth round was cancelled when Israel attacked Iran in June. The talks had also faltered over Iran's rights to uranium enrichment, which Tehran wants to continue, with possible limits. The US position hardened during the talks and Washington wants to deny Iran any nuclear enrichment capacity under a deal. Tehran insists its nuclear programme is for strictly peaceful purposes and denies seeking to develop a bomb. But uranium enrichment levels of up to 60 per cent, far exceeding the needs of civilian purposes, have raised suspicions in the West that Iran wants to build a weapon.
The National
13 hours ago
- The National
Rubio condemns French decision to recognise Palestinian state as policy gap widens between US and Europe
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has condemned an announcement by French President Emmanuel Macron that his country will recognise a Palestinian state, calling it a "reckless decision". Mr Rubio described the move as a setback for peace and said it was an affront to the victims of the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, that sparked the Gaza war. Mr Macron said on Thursday that France intended to recognise a Palestinian state in September at the UN General Assembly, adding that he hoped it would help bring peace to the Middle East. The announcement widens a rift between Europe and the US on policy towards Palestine, after Washington's ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, said in June that he did not think an independent Palestinian state remained a US foreign policy goal. "This reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace," Mr Rubio said. "It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7." About 140 countries now recognise or plan to recognise Palestinian statehood, but France would become the biggest European power to do so, and the first G7 state. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has criticised the move, saying it "rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became". "A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launchpad to annihilate Israel, not to live in peace beside it," he added. However, there has been widespread praise for the French decision. Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry called it historic. "The kingdom reiterates its call for all countries that have not yet recognised the State of Palestine to take similar positive steps and adopt serious positions that support peace and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people," it said. Jordan's Foreign Ministry also commended Paris. "This is a step in the right direction towards the realisation of the two-state solution and the end of the occupation," ministry spokesman Sufyan Qudah said in a statement. Senior Palestinian Authority official Hussein Al Sheikh praised the move, saying it "reflects France's commitment to international law and its support for the Palestinian people's rights to self-determination and the establishment of our independent state". In Europe, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, whose country already recognises Palestine, welcomed the announcement. "Together, we must protect what Netanyahu is trying to destroy," Mr Mr Sanchez, an outspoken critic of the conflict in Gaza. "The two-state solution is the only solution." Hamas, meanwhile, also welcomed the decision as a "positive step in the right direction towards doing justice to our oppressed Palestinian people and supporting their legitimate right to self-determination". "We call on all countries of the world, especially European nations and those that have not yet recognised the State of Palestine, to follow France's lead," it said. France will join European states Norway, Ireland and Spain in recognising Palestine. To date, only nine EU members have taken the step, making France's move significant, especially given its status as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. Mr Macron's move comes as anger mounts over the death toll in the Gaza war and the growing number of people starving in the enclave. 'The urgent thing today is that the war in Gaza stops and the civilian population is saved,″ the French President said. In Britain, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he would hold an "emergency call" on Friday with France and Germany on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, urging a ceasefire and steps towards Palestinian statehood. "I will hold an emergency call with E3 partners tomorrow, where we will discuss what we can do urgently to stop the killing and get people the food they desperately need while pulling together all the steps necessary to build a lasting peace," he said in a statement. "A ceasefire will put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution which guarantees peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis." Mr Starmer said the situation in Gaza had "reached new depths and continues to worsen". He added that the "suffering and starvation unfolding in Gaza is unspeakable and indefensible".
