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Iran’s FM: Lebanese Presidential Elections Are an Internal Matter, We Support Consensus

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian among his entourage during his visit to the Lebanese border town of Maroun al-Ras (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian among his entourage during his visit to the Lebanese border town of Maroun al-Ras (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Iran’s FM: Lebanese Presidential Elections Are an Internal Matter, We Support Consensus

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian among his entourage during his visit to the Lebanese border town of Maroun al-Ras (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian among his entourage during his visit to the Lebanese border town of Maroun al-Ras (Asharq Al-Awsat)

From Beirut, Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian declared on Friday an agreement to reopen the Iranian and Saudi embassies in Riyadh and Tehran in the coming days. The top diplomat expressed his belief that dialogue between the two nations could positively impact the region and Lebanon.

He also stated that influential political forces in Lebanon possess the capacity to elect a president for the country.

Amir-Abdollahian emphasized Iran’s support for a consensus and agreement among the Lebanese.

The minister’s statements came during a press conference held yesterday at the end of his two-day visit to Beirut, during which he met with several officials, lawmakers, and Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah.

Amir-Abdollahian also visited the border town of Maroun al-Ras in southern Lebanon, accompanied by Hezbollah officials and lawmakers, where he toured the border area.

At the presser, the minister announced an agreement to reopen the Iranian and Saudi embassies in Riyadh and Tehran. He also mentioned preparations for a visit by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to Syria in the near future.

“We believe that influential Lebanese political forces have the capability and necessary efficiency to complete the political process and elect a president for the republic,” stated Amir-Abdollahian.

“We support consensus and agreement among the Lebanese, and Iran will welcome any distinguished Lebanese figure who reaches the presidency through consensus,” he added.

Amir-Abdollahian stressed that “Iran did not and will not interfere in the Lebanese election of a president, and when the Lebanese agree on any person, Iran will support it strongly.”

He added that “electing a president for the republic is an internal Lebanese matter, and it is up to the Lebanese to decide for themselves.”

Amir-Abdollahian also emphasized that Iran prioritizes openness and communication with neighboring countries and that the recent positive developments between Iran and Saudi Arabia are beneficial not only for the two countries but for the entire region.

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Arab World

Israel Denounced over Gaza Health Emergency at WHO Meeting

Palestinians evacuate Kamal Adwan hospital following an Israeli strike, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, May 21, 2024. (Reuters)
Palestinians evacuate Kamal Adwan hospital following an Israeli strike, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, May 21, 2024. (Reuters)
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Israel Denounced over Gaza Health Emergency at WHO Meeting

Palestinians evacuate Kamal Adwan hospital following an Israeli strike, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, May 21, 2024. (Reuters)
Palestinians evacuate Kamal Adwan hospital following an Israeli strike, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, May 21, 2024. (Reuters)

More than 30 countries condemned Israel's attacks on hospitals in Gaza and demanded more scrutiny of its role in the enclave's health crisis at a World Health Organization meeting on Wednesday, and some blamed Israel for a growing risk of famine.

The WHO has recorded hundreds of attacks on health facilities in the occupied Palestinian territories, which includes Gaza, since the Oct. 7 Israel-Hamas conflict began, but does not attribute blame.

The latest phase of the conflict this month has seen Israel launch a military operation against Rafah, blocking patient transfers, all but cutting off medical supplies and threatening its last functioning hospital.

A group of countries are backing a proposal at the WHO's annual assembly in Geneva that would mandate the UN health agency to boost documentation of the "catastrophic humanitarian crisis" in Gaza and report on "starvation" amid UN warnings of famine and disease after nearly eight months of conflict.

The motion is supported by over 30 countries mostly from Africa and the Gulf region but also Russia, Türkiye and China but even more spoke in favor of it. A vote is expected later on Wednesday.

"The healthcare system of Gaza is devastated. Israel has targeted hospitals in Gaza, completely destroying treatment facilities. This also means a war against the fundamental right to health," said Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca.

He also accused Israel of using hunger as a weapon of war and said its actions against hospitals amounted to a war crime.

Palestine's ambassador Ibrahim Khraishi urged countries to support the motion. "We cannot allow Israel to destroy everything, to destroy health care facilities and to allow this to happen," he told the crowded meeting room.

Israel's ambassador Meirav Eilon Shahar blamed Hamas for "deliberately putting the safety of patients at risk" by using health facilities for military purposes. It submitted an amendment to include a reference to the 250 hostages seized during the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks which killed 1,200 people and to condemn the use of hospitals by armed groups.

Israel denies responsibility for delays in getting aid into Gaza and says the UN and others are responsible for its distribution once inside.

Ireland was one of just a handful of countries to call for the release of the hostages in a speech where it also asked Israel to cease its Rafah operation.