Zarif: Iran remains ready to continue assisting Lebanon

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the Islamic Republic remains ready to continue assisting Lebanon following the catastrophic explosion of August 4 that ravaged the port of Beirut and made the cabinet resign.

In a meeting with President Michel Aoun in the Lebanese capital on Friday, Iran’s foreign minister expressed hope for a stable political situation in Lebanon through cooperation and coherence among all the Lebanese parties and groups.

The blast, the biggest ever to hit the West Asia, killed more than 170 people. Some 6,000 were injured.

Dozens of people are still missing, and at least 300,000 people have been displaced as a result of the huge blast.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the top Iranian diplomat hailed Lebanon's victory against Israel in the 33-day war in 2006, describing it as a symbol of the Lebanese people's capability to overcome hardships, including the current circumstances after the blast.

The Lebanese president, for his part, thanked his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani for his message of solidarity after the blast.

August 14 marks the fourteenth anniversary of the end of Israel’s 33-day war on Lebanon.

The Iranian foreign minister also said Tehran is ready to cooperate with the Lebanese government to supply the country's requirements in the current situation.

In a meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, the two sides exchanged views about possible ways to help Lebanon following the tragic incident.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Zarif pointed to the 14th anniversary of Lebanon's victory and said, "At this difficult time, this victory shows the Lebanese people's capability to counter difficulties."

He added that Iran supports the Lebanese government and nation with the recent catastrophe. "We believe that the world should now stand by and help the Lebanese people without setting any condition for that matter."

Opportunists seek to destabilize Lebanon using Beirut blast

In another meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab, the Iranian foreign minister said opportunists are seeking to spread instability in Lebanon by taking advantage of the blast.

"Those who are exploiting the blast in Beirut port are the same who do not want stability and unity in Lebanon."

Diab, for his part, informed the top Iranian diplomat of Lebanon’s urgent needs, particularly for the treatment of patients and the necessary items for the reconstruction of dwellings in Beirut.

Speaking in a joint televised news conference with Lebanon's caretaker Foreign Minister Charbel Wehbe, Zarif said only the Lebanese people and their representatives can decide the country's future following the massive blast in Beirut.

"In our view it is not humane to exploit the pain and suffering of the people for political goals. We believe that the government and the people of Lebanon should decide on the future of Lebanon," he said.

SS