Michel Aoun: Relations with Iran Should Not Hinder Lebanon's Ties with the Arab World

Michel Aoun, the President of Lebanon, after visiting Saudi Arabia, stated that Lebanon's close relations with the Iranian government, a main rival of Riyadh, should not obstruct Beirut's relations with Arab countries. The Saudi-backed newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reported on Wednesday, January 12, quoting Michel Aoun: 'We have normal relations with the Iranian government, and this should not be an obstacle to our normal relations with the Arab world.' The Iranian government is a long-time supporter of the Lebanese group Hezbollah, which enjoys broad support from the Shiite population in the country and has military capabilities comparable to the Lebanese army and police forces. Michel Aoun, whose Christian party is allied with Hezbollah, said: 'Iran's support for Hezbollah may continue forever.' According to the Associated Press, Saudi Arabia suspended a $3 billion arms deal with Lebanon last year and banned citizens of that country and other Gulf Arab states from traveling to Lebanon. This action was due to the Lebanese government's failure to condemn the attack on the Saudi embassy in Tehran by protesters, which occurred in response to the execution of a prominent Shiite cleric by Saudi Arabia. A few weeks after that event, the Lebanese government did not participate in an Arab League vote that designated Hezbollah as a terrorist group. Hezbollah is fighting alongside Bashar al-Assad's forces in the Syrian civil war, while Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab states support the Syrian rebels. Michel Aoun, without providing further details, said discussions were held with Saudi officials regarding the arms deal between the two countries. He added: 'Decisions were made regarding the resumption of tourism for Saudi citizens to Lebanon.' Saudi officials told the Associated Press that the king promised to consider the resumption of aid to Lebanon but did not set a specific timeline. They added that the Saudi king assured Michel Aoun that Mohammed bin Salman, the deputy crown prince and defense minister, 'would pay attention to this matter.' A senior Lebanese government official told the Associated Press that Saudi Arabia has set conditions for providing military aid to Lebanon, including that none of the aid should be given to political groups, indirectly referring to Hezbollah, which is considered a terrorist group by Saudi Arabia. Reuters also noted that one of the main objectives of Michel Aoun's visit to Riyadh was to alleviate tensions in relations with Saudi Arabia, which suspended $3 billion in military aid to Lebanon last year. In another part of the interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Michel Aoun expressed hope that relations between the two countries would return to normal after existing problems are resolved, as the roots of these problems do not lie with the people of Lebanon. He added: 'It is quite obvious that regardless of any differences that may arise, or differences that have arisen due to the Syrian issue, relations between the two countries should be normal.' Recent tensions between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia have also raised doubts about the status of 750,000 Lebanese citizens living and working in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries. This migrant population sends between $7 to $8 billion annually in financial aid to their families in Lebanon. Michel Aoun entered Doha on the second part of his regional trip on Wednesday and met with the Emir of Qatar. According to a statement from the Lebanese presidency, they agreed on resuming meetings of the high joint committee in relations between the two countries. Mr. Aoun invited the Emir of Qatar to visit Lebanon. In this context, criticism from the United States of Saudi Arabia for cutting military aid to Lebanon, there is 'no alternative' for Saudi Arabia's $3 billion aid to Lebanon. Zarif accused the Saudi government of 'producing and spreading terrorism' in the region. Hassan Rouhani accused Saudi Arabia of 'promoting an ideology of hatred' and 'supporting terrorism.' The United States and Saudi Arabia sanctioned five individuals and entities supporting Hezbollah financially. Eleven Arab countries stated that Iran, by supporting terrorism, exacerbates tensions and instability in the region.