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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

Rescue Teams Search for Survivors in Building Collapse that Killed at Least 2 in Northern Lebanon

A Lebanese flag is pictured, in the aftermath of a massive explosion, in Beirut's damaged port area, Lebanon August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
A Lebanese flag is pictured, in the aftermath of a massive explosion, in Beirut's damaged port area, Lebanon August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
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Rescue Teams Search for Survivors in Building Collapse that Killed at Least 2 in Northern Lebanon

A Lebanese flag is pictured, in the aftermath of a massive explosion, in Beirut's damaged port area, Lebanon August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
A Lebanese flag is pictured, in the aftermath of a massive explosion, in Beirut's damaged port area, Lebanon August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay

At least two people were killed and four rescued from the rubble of a multistory apartment building that collapsed Sunday in the city of Tripoli in northern Lebanon, state media reported.

Rescue teams were continuing to dig through the rubble. It was not immediately clear how many people were in the building when it fell.

The bodies pulled out were of a child and a woman, the state-run National News Agency reported.

Dozens of people crowded around the site of the crater left by the collapsed building, with some shooting in the air.

The building was in the neighborhood of Bab Tabbaneh, one of the poorest areas in Lebanon’s second largest city, where residents have long complained of government neglect and shoddy infrastructure. Building collapses are not uncommon in Tripoli due to poor building standards, according to The AP news.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry announced that those injured in the collapse would receive treatment at the state’s expense.

The national syndicate for property owners in a statement called the collapse the result of “blatant negligence and shortcomings of the Lebanese state toward the safety of citizens and their housing security,” and said it is “not an isolated incident.”

The syndicate called for the government to launch a comprehensive national survey of buildings at risk of collapse.

Arab World

Israel to Take More West Bank Powers and Relax Settler Land Buys

A view of Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, in the West Bank, Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP)
A view of Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, in the West Bank, Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP)
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Israel to Take More West Bank Powers and Relax Settler Land Buys

A view of Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, in the West Bank, Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP)
A view of Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, in the West Bank, Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP)

Israel's security cabinet approved a series of steps on Sunday that would make it easier for settlers in the occupied West Bank to buy land while granting Israeli authorities more enforcement powers over Palestinians, Israeli media reported.

The West Bank is among the territories that the Palestinians seek for a future independent state. Much of it is under Israeli military control, with limited Palestinian self-rule in some areas run by the Western-backed Palestinian Authority (PA).

Citing statements by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defense Minister Israel Katz, Israeli news sites Ynet and Haaretz said the measures included scrapping decades-old regulations that prevent Jewish private citizens buying land in the West Bank, The AP news reported.

They were also reported to include allowing Israeli authorities to administer some religious sites, and expand supervision and enforcement in areas under PA administration in matters of environmental hazards, water offences and damage to archaeological sites.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the new measures were dangerous, illegal and tantamount to de-facto annexation.

The Israeli ministers did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The new measures come three days before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet in Washington with US President Donald Trump.

Trump has ruled out Israeli annexation of the West Bank but his administration has not sought to curb Israel's accelerated settlement building, which the Palestinians say denies them a potential state by eating away at its territory.

Netanyahu, who is facing an election later this year, deems the establishment of any Palestinian state a security threat.

His ruling coalition includes many pro-settler members who want Israel to annex the West Bank, land captured in the 1967 Middle East war to which Israel cites biblical and historical ties.

The United Nations' highest court said in a non-binding advisory opinion in 2024 that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories and settlements there is illegal and should be ended as soon as possible. Israel disputes this view.

Arab World

Arab League Condemns Attack on Aid Convoys in Sudan

A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
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Arab League Condemns Attack on Aid Convoys in Sudan

A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit strongly condemned the attack by the Rapid Support Forces on humanitarian aid convoys and relief workers in North Kordofan State, Sudan.

In a statement reported by SPA, secretary-general's spokesperson Jamal Rushdi quoted Aboul Gheit as saying the attack constitutes a war crime under international humanitarian law, which prohibits the deliberate targeting of civilians and depriving them of their means of survival.

Aboul Gheit stressed the need to hold those responsible accountable, end impunity, and ensure the full protection of civilians, humanitarian workers, and relief facilities in Sudan.