Mottaki says Iran always backed Lebanese consensus

Source: IRIN, 24-12-2007
TEHRAN: Iranian foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Saturday that since the outbreak of the political deadlock in Lebanon, Iran has voiced its support for national consensus as the only way to put an end to the crisis. He said the atmosphere of understanding forged in the recent weeks among various Lebanese groups to choose a new president and to settle differences heralded the cessation of political crisis in Lebanon. "However," he added, "direct interference by US President [George W. Bush] is a flagrant insult to the Lebanese." He reiterated Iran's support for national consensus and agreement among various political groups to put an end to the current crisis saying his country believed that forging an agreement among feuding groups "is almost certain thanks to the wisdom of the Lebanese nation." Mottaki added that having Washington put an end to its "blatant" interference in Lebanese domestic affairs, "is an essential precondition for placing consensus efforts among the Lebanese on the right track."