Lebanese Prime Minister Calls Qassem Soleimani's Statements 'Regrettable'

The Prime Minister of Lebanon has described the statements made by Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force, regarding the recent parliamentary elections in Lebanon as 'interference in Lebanon's internal affairs.' Soleimani praised the success of Hezbollah in the recent parliamentary elections held on May 6, which took place after nine years, where the group, supported by the Islamic Republic, secured more than half of the 128 parliamentary seats. Soleimani stated that this success occurred while some Arab countries are trying to accuse Hezbollah and its leaders of 'terrorist' activities. In response, Saad Hariri called Soleimani's remarks 'regrettable' and an 'interference' in Lebanon's internal affairs, which he claimed is not beneficial for 'them' or for the 'region.' Hariri added that if the Islamic Republic has 'lost' in Iraq, it does not mean they can 'compensate' for their loss elsewhere, referring to the recent parliamentary elections in Iraq where Muqtada al-Sadr and his allies won most of the parliamentary seats, with al-Sadr calling for Iraq to distance itself from Iran. Hezbollah is designated as a 'terrorist' group by the U.S. and Israel, and the U.S. Treasury recently sanctioned Abdullah Safi al-Din, Hezbollah's representative in Iran. Following the May parliamentary elections in Lebanon, Saad Hariri, a Sunni Muslim close to Saudi Arabia, was once again introduced as Prime Minister, while Michel Aoun, a Christian, was introduced as President. Lebanon's political system is founded on the division of power among various groups, with the President coming from the Christians, the Prime Minister from Sunni Muslims, and the Speaker of Parliament from Shia Muslims. Parliamentary seats and government positions are also equally divided between Muslims and Christians. The increasing tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia in the region have led Hariri, who is close to Riyadh, to express more explicit criticisms of Iran's policies in Lebanon. Hezbollah has stood alongside Iran in the Syrian civil war, supporting Bashar al-Assad, and has opposed calls for their withdrawal from Syria. Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, has stated that their forces will remain in Syria for as long as the Syrian President desires. Iranian officials have also made similar statements.