Larijani: Iran Vows Unwavering Support for Lebanon

By Staff, Agencies

The secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council [SNSC], Ali Larijani, affirmed unwavering support for Lebanon’s government and people upon arriving in Beirut, following a two-day visit to Iraq as part of a regional tour.

Larijani’s plane landed at Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut on Wednesday morning and he was warmly welcomed as crowds of people held banners that cheered his arrival.

The Iranian security chief was warmly welcomed at the airport by Lebanese Foreign Minister Rodrigue Khoury, Iran’s Ambassador Mojtaba Amani and a delegation representing Lebanon's Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and the presidency as well as Hezbollah-allied political factions.

“Iran and Lebanon both enjoy deep-rooted civilizations, and throughout various centuries, they have had close ties ... For this reason, there exists an emotional bond between Iranian and Lebanese cultures,” Larijani told reporters upon his arrival in Beirut.

“A strong affection has developed between the two nations thanks to this emotional bond; if the Lebanese people suffer, the Iranian people feel that pain as well,” he added.

“We will stand by the dear people of Lebanon in any circumstances. We are always seeking to help Lebanon secure its interests.”

Larijani also stressed that he is scheduled to hold several meetings with Lebanese officials, especially the country’s prime minister, president, ministers, and deputies, to hash out bilateral relations and regional developments.

Amani, the Iranian ambassador to Beirut, stressed before Larijani’s arrival in Beirut that the visit to Lebanon takes place at a critical stage in the Arab country's history.

He added that Larijani will express Iran's views in his meetings in Lebanon.

The visit comes as the Lebanese government, pressed by the US and "Israel", is forging ahead with a plan to disarm Hezbollah despite opposition by most Lebanese people.

Concomitant with Larijani’s visit to Beirut, a wave of support has surged across the Lebanese social media with the hashtag #Iran_Is_Support_Not_Supervisor becoming a trending topic among social media users, not least journalists and Muslim communities.

The initiative serves as a bold response to mounting pressure from the US and "Israel" against Hezbollah regarding the Lebanese resistance movement’s disarmament.

The hashtag’s popularity also signals a clear message opposing Western and "Israeli" propaganda that attempts to portray Hezbollah as “dependent” on Iran and to label Tehran’s role in Lebanon as “paternalistic.”