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Hariri: ‘Hezbollah’ Must Remain Neutral to Ensure Lebanon Moves Forward

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri. (Getty Images)
Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri. (Getty Images)
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Hariri: ‘Hezbollah’ Must Remain Neutral to Ensure Lebanon Moves Forward

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri. (Getty Images)
Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri. (Getty Images)

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri said on Monday that the Iranian-backed “Hezbollah” group must stop meddling in the affairs of foreign countries and accept a policy of “neutrality.”

He said: “I do not want a political party in my government that interferes in the affairs of Arab countries against other Arab countries.”

He stressed that “Hezbollah” must remain neutral in order to ensure that Lebanon moves forward.

“I am waiting for the neutrality which we agreed on in the government,” he told French broadcaster Cnews.

“One can’t say one thing and do something else.”

Meanwhile, President Michel Aoun crowned on Monday night his series of consultations on the Lebanese crisis by holding talks at the presidential palace with Hariri and Speaker Nabih Berii.

The talks on ending the crisis focused on respecting Lebanon’s policy of disassociation from regional conflicts, committing to the Taef Accord and stressing the country’s ties with Arab states.

The crisis erupted after Hariri announced his resignation on November 4 in protest against Iran’s meddling in Lebanese affairs and “Hezbollah’s” interference in regional conflicts.

Monday’s consultations were described as positive and their results will emerge in the upcoming days, said sources close to Hariri.

They revealed that the premier had received guarantees from “Hezbollah” that it will remain neutral, as well as guarantees linked to its use of arms beyond Lebanon’s borders.

Hariri’s sources told Ahsarq Al-Awsat that the president gave the premier “assurances that ‘Hezbollah’ was determined to offer guarantees that would ease tensions in the country.|

For his part, the PM told the president that the party had made a clear pledge to commit to neutrality and the disassociation policy.

Hariri had however demanded tangible evidence of these vows.

Aoun and Berri told Hariri that these guarantees will be translated within constitutional institutions after the president returns from a trip to Italy on Wednesday, revealed the sources.

This will help the situation in Lebanon return to normal, they added.

Furthermore, they stressed that Hariri was frank in his talks with the president and speaker that he “wanted actions, not just words.”

“Should he receive them, then the reasons for his resignation would no longer exist, but should he not, then his resignation will go into effect,” they explained.

A statement by the presidency said that Aoun’s consultations throughout the day sought to reach common factors that would preserve Lebanon.

Various leaders and political bloc representatives stressed to him the need to maintain national unity and political and security stability.

The details of the talks will be presented to the constitutional institutions once Aoun returns from Italy.

The president had held talks on Monday with Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil of the AMAL Movement, Democratic Gathering leader MP Walid Jumblat, Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea, Kataeb Party head MP Sami Gemayel and “Hezbollah” bloc MP Mohammed Raad.

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Can Tourism Help Revive Egypt-Iran Relations?

Egypt’s Sisi meeting the Iranian Foreign Minister in Cairo – Egyptian Presidency
Egypt’s Sisi meeting the Iranian Foreign Minister in Cairo – Egyptian Presidency
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Can Tourism Help Revive Egypt-Iran Relations?

Egypt’s Sisi meeting the Iranian Foreign Minister in Cairo – Egyptian Presidency
Egypt’s Sisi meeting the Iranian Foreign Minister in Cairo – Egyptian Presidency

Iran has reiterated its desire to strengthen ties with Egypt, expressing hope for a memorandum of understanding to facilitate tourism between the two countries.

While analysts say tourism could serve as a key channel for reviving relations, they stress that Cairo remains committed to a cautious, gradual approach in its dealings with Tehran.

Speaking to Iran’s official IRNA news agency on Monday, Iranian Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Reza Salehi Amiri said bilateral talks have been held to resume relations with Cairo, adding that the government’s strategy aims to “reopen the path to Egypt”.

“Egypt, with its population of 115 million, has immense cultural, heritage and religious potential,” Amiri said.

“There is a genuine interest among Egyptians in developing ties with Iran, and both governments have the political will to move forward”.

He emphasized the importance of establishing formal diplomatic relations, noting that “significant steps have already been taken and there are no major obstacles to expanding tourism.”

Amiri said Tehran is eager to sign a tourism-focused memorandum of understanding with Cairo.

“The first round of talks has been held, and the negotiations are set to continue,” he said, calling for “the removal of any remaining hurdles”.

Amiri pointed to a recent visit to Cairo by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, saying the groundwork had been laid for building diplomatic and tourism ties. “With the foreign minister’s presence and efforts, political relations will resume, and that will pave the way for deeper cultural engagement”.

Araghchi visited Egypt earlier this month and met President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. In a joint press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, Araghchi described the talks as unprecedented and constructive, highlighting “an advanced path toward cooperation and convergence”.

He said the two sides had agreed to maintain political consultations and work on boosting trade and tourism.

Abdelatty announced the launch of a new channel for political dialogue below the ministerial level to address various aspects of the relationship.

Amiri said Iran has invited Egyptian private sector companies to participate in large-scale tourism projects and voiced Tehran’s readiness to facilitate air and land travel, including joint historical and religious tours.

He called for activating joint hotel and tourism ventures under strategic agreements between the two nations.

Huda Raouf, a political science professor and head of the Iranian Studies Unit at the Egyptian Center for Thought and Strategic Studies, told Asharq Al-Awsat that “tourism is one of the sectors with the most potential for a breakthrough in Egypt-Iran ties, especially with Iran’s interest in religious tourism”.

But she added that Cairo remains cautious. “While Egypt is open to dialogue with Iran on several files, it is taking a deliberate and measured approach to deepening relations.”

Raouf noted that Egypt is in contact with Iran on key regional issues, including Red Sea security and the Gaza Strip, but is proceeding “with calculated steps”.

She said full normalization would only come “at a time aligned with Egypt’s national interests”.

She also pointed out that the easing of entry procedures for Iranian tourists currently applies only to South Sinai.

In March 2023, Egypt announced a package of measures to boost foreign tourism, including a provision allowing Iranian tourists to obtain visas upon arrival at airports in South Sinai.

The plan, which required tourists to travel in organized groups and through pre-coordinated tour operators, was welcomed by Tehran at the time.

Former Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister Hussein Haridy told Asharq Al-Awsat that Iran’s push to promote religious tourism in Egypt is not new. “Cairo continues to adopt a gradual approach to building ties with Tehran,” he said.

“Developing political and diplomatic relations will have a spillover effect on other areas,” Haridy added, but cautioned that progress will unfold at a pace suitable to both sides. He linked any acceleration in bilateral engagement to the outcome of ongoing US-Iran nuclear negotiations.

This is not the first time Iran has sought to establish tourist links with Egypt. Between 2011 and 2013, similar efforts were made but failed to yield results.

The two countries severed diplomatic ties in 1979, with limited relations restored in 1990 at the chargé d’affaires level. Over the past two years, Egyptian and Iranian ministers have held multiple meetings to explore avenues for improving ties.

Ambassador Rakha Ahmed Hassan, another former Egyptian assistant foreign minister, said tourism may be the easiest entry point for broader engagement.

“There have already been discussions about launching direct flights between the two countries,” he said. “There is no fundamental reason preventing a closer relationship”.

Hassan highlighted Iran’s interest in religious tourism and sites associated with the Prophet’s family in Egypt.

Araghchi’s recent visit to Cairo included prayers at the historic Hussein Mosque and dinner at the iconic Naguib Mahfouz restaurant in the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, accompanied by prominent Egyptian figures, including former foreign ministers Amr Moussa, Nabil Fahmy and Mohamed el-Orabi.