Joseph Aoun to Ghalibaf: Lebanon is Tired of Others' Wars in This Country

The President of Lebanon, during a meeting with an Iranian delegation and the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, stated that the war-torn country is 'tired' of foreign conflicts on its soil. According to a statement from the Lebanese presidency, Joseph Aoun addressed Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, saying, 'Lebanon is tired of others' wars on its soil, and I agree with you that countries should not interfere in each other's internal affairs.' In this meeting, Qalibaf had stated that Israel's 'aggressions' and remarks by Donald Trump, the President of the United States, constitute 'interference in the affairs of countries.' The Iranian delegation had traveled to Beirut for the funeral of Hassan Nasrallah, the former leader of Hezbollah. Joseph Aoun described the unity of the Lebanese people as 'the best way to confront any damage and aggression' and emphasized his country's desire to establish 'the best relations with Tehran that benefit both countries and peoples.' After this meeting, the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly stated that the Islamic Republic would agree with any decision that has the consensus of the Lebanese government, parliament, and resistance. According to AFP, Hezbollah, which has long been the dominant force in Lebanon, suffered severe blows and losses in its war with Israel, while at the same time, Bashar al-Assad's government in Syria, which was a vital route for transferring Iranian weapons to this group, fell. The weakening of Hezbollah allowed the Lebanese parliament to end over two years of vacant senior positions in the country, and finally, Joseph Aoun was elected as President and Nawaf Salam as the new Prime Minister. The Iranian delegation that met with the Lebanese President included Abbas Araghchi, the Foreign Minister, and Ali Fadavi, the Deputy Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The plane carrying this delegation landed at Beirut airport while Lebanon had suspended flights between the country and Iran. The Lebanese government extended the suspension of flights between the country and Iran. About ten days ago, the cancellation of two Mahan Air flights to Beirut faced anger from Hezbollah supporters, who blocked parts of the highway leading to Beirut airport for three days. Concurrently with these protests, a convoy of UN peacekeepers on the way to Beirut airport was attacked, and one vehicle was set on fire. Israel has repeatedly accused Iran and Hezbollah of transferring money and weapons using civilian aircraft through Beirut airport, an accusation that Hezbollah and some Lebanese officials deny.