Michel Aoun: Lebanon Should Not Pay the Price for Others' Disagreements in the Region

The President of Lebanon met with the Secretary-General of the Arab League one day after the Arab League summit. Michel Aoun stated that his country cannot accept being labeled as a partner in terrorist actions and should not pay the price for others' disagreements. Ahmed Aboul Gheit met with Michel Aoun, the President of Lebanon, and Nabih Berri, the Speaker of the Parliament, on November 29, following strong criticisms of Iran and Hezbollah Lebanon during the Arab League summit. The Lebanese Foreign Minister had refrained from attending the Arab League meeting. In a statement on Twitter, Michel Aoun emphasized that Lebanon should not bear the costs of others' conflicts. Aoun stated, "We have not attacked anyone, and our political stability and security should not be sacrificed for these conflicts." He also added that "Lebanon cannot accept insinuations and suggestions that its government is a partner in terrorist actions. The position that the Lebanese delegation expressed at the Arab League meeting is a comprehensive and national demand." The Lebanese delegation protested certain clauses of the statement regarding Hezbollah, describing the group as a fundamental component of Lebanon that has representatives in the parliament and government. The Arab League had designated Hezbollah as a "terrorist group" in March 2016. The Gulf Cooperation Council had also taken similar action at that time. Hezbollah is also labeled as a terrorist group by the United States and some other countries. During the meeting, Aboul Gheit emphasized that Arab League member states do not want any harm to come to Lebanon: "No one can and wants to accept that any harm comes to Lebanon." According to the Secretary-General of the Arab League, Lebanon has a unique political nature, and the League "recognizes this issue." Political power in Lebanon is always divided among three major groups of Sunni Muslims, Shia Muslims, and Christians residing in Lebanon. Although Lebanon has faced various political deadlocks, it still operates under a parliamentary system based on elections. According to monitoring organizations like "Freedom House," the country is considered "partly free" in terms of political and civil rights as well as freedom of expression. In a separate interview with the Lebanese state news agency, Ahmed Aboul Gheit stated that "Arab countries are aware of Lebanon's conditions and want to keep it away from any disputes." Although he did not directly refer to these "disputes," the recent meeting took place just one day after the Arab League issued a statement warning Iran about its continued "interference" in the internal affairs of regional countries and urged Tehran to stop supporting the Houthis in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Aboul Gheit also mentioned that Iran's "threats" have crossed all borders and pushed the region "toward a dangerous precipice." On the other hand, Tehran described the Arab League's statement as "worthless" and "full of lies and distortions," with the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman stating that it was issued under "pressure and extensive political and propaganda maneuvering" by Saudi Arabia. While the Middle East has been a center of severe tensions for years, with many believing that Riyadh and Tehran are engaged in proxy wars from Syria to Yemen, Lebanon's situation has recently become another challenge. Saad Hariri, the Prime Minister of Lebanon, who is a critic of Tehran's policies and Hezbollah, announced unexpectedly on November 4 during a trip to Saudi Arabia that he was resigning from his position. Various speculations arose regarding the reasons for this resignation. In addition to senior Lebanese officials, such as its President, Sigmar Gabriel, the German Foreign Minister, also stated that Hariri was in Saudi Arabia against his will and was not allowed to leave. This was met with a strong reaction from Saudi Arabia, which Hariri denied. On November 27, Hariri traveled to France and met with the French President. After this meeting, he told reporters that he would return to his country on Lebanon's Independence Day and would announce his political position after meeting with Michel Aoun.