Mottaki: Lack of Security in Lebanon Will Influence the Whole Region

Source; Nowlebanon.com, 13-03-2008
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki called for a consensus solution to the present crisis in Lebanon.
"The decision on which solution to use should not be made by Iran, Saudi Arabia, Syria, France or any other foreign country," he told the Lebanese daily An-Nahar on the sidelines of the 11th Islamic Summit being held today and tomorrow in Dakar. He also stressed that Iran supports a consensus solution in Lebanon.
"Yet foreign parties can help reach this objective," he added.
"I have discussed the Lebanese situation with several foreign ministers from Islamic states, especially Arab ones. Everyone is keen on finding a solution to the political crisis in Lebanon," he said.
Mottaki said that security in Lebanon will influence regional stability, and conversely, "the effects of lack of security in Lebanon will not be restricted to the country." He added that he believes the Lebanese people can overcome this phase.
Commenting on Lebanon's Special Tribunal, Mottaki said that Iran supports anything the Lebanese agree on, even if it involves assassinated Hezbollah official Imad Moghniyeh.
He also noted that the "Zionist entity" is the source of all problems in Lebanon.
"The Lebanese resistance as a reflection of Lebanon's social and sectarian tissue has stood up to the Zionist aggression," Mottaki said.
"It could be said that this resistance represents Lebanon first and the people of the whole region second," he added.