Holland, Zarif Discuss Situation in Lebanon

Local Editor

French President Francois Hollande voiced concern during a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif over the situation in Lebanon amid the ongoing power vacuum, saying that it's a "miracle that the country is still standing firm."

The remarks were made during a meeting earlier this week between Hollande and Zarif.

According to remarks published in the pan-Arab newspaper Al-Hayat Saturday, Hollande said during the meeting Wednesday that Lebanon is passing through an "exceptional fragile situation despite some [parties] who think that [the country] can go on without a president," highlighting the importance of ending the power vacuum.

Lebanon has been without a head of state for over two years since former President Michel Sleiman's tenure ended in May 2014.

The impasse had largely paralyzed Parliament and threatened the work of the Cabinet.

"Iran has no problem with the matter [of ending the void], but Christians must unite to choose a head of state. If that happens, then Iran will not oppose it," Zarif said.

He also said that foreign countries should not interfere in the matter.

Zarif arrived in Paris Tuesday on a two-day visit, where he held back-to-back meetings with French officials, most notably his French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault and France's finance minister Michel Sapin.

The Iranian FM has been visiting European capitals since May after the successful nuclear accord which is widely hailed as a new chapter in Iran's relations with the West.

The international deal, which was implemented in January, gave Iran relief from decades of crippling sanctions.

Zarif was in the Netherlands Thursday before returning home.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team