The former President of the Lebanese Republic, Michel Suleiman, warned of the escalation of tension and the continuing decline in Lebanese-Iranian relations, indicating that this path puts the future of relations and the state’s sovereignty at stake.
Suleiman explained, in a statement issued by him, that the crisis is fueled by a series of developments, most notably Iranian statements related to confronting Israel through allies and regional arms in four countries, in addition to the witnessed use of airports in neighboring countries to protect air traffic linked to Tehran, leading to transgressions in diplomatic norms and practices.
He drew particular attention to Tehran’s refusal to appoint an alternative ambassador to the former Iranian ambassador, whose actions and positions raised widespread official and popular objections in Lebanon, considering them blatant interference in internal affairs and a conflict with the official position and the will of a broad sector of the Lebanese.
The former president considered that these practices raise major question marks about the seriousness of respect for Lebanon’s sovereignty and its exclusive right to manage its internal affairs and formulate its national and diplomatic options independent of any external dictates.
Suleiman concluded his statement by emphasizing Lebanon’s keenness to establish equal relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, far from the desire to sever or destroy the ties of relationship with the Iranian people.
