Iran views on Lebanon elections and US policy
Lebanon-Iran-USA, Politics, 6/1/2009

Iran's Minister of Foreign affairs said today "we have waited till today, and are still patiently waiting to see new US government's practical steps (in right direction)."

In response to the question "Keeping in mind (US President Barack) Obama's emphasis that Israel must end construction of Zionist townships, can that be interpreted as a practical change in new US administration's policies?," Manouchehr Mottaki made the above mentioned response.

He also added, "The construction of townships is a marginal issue in the context of the Middle East problems and the European countries, too, had earlier voiced objection against the move."

The Iranian top diplomat said, "The important mater in the Middle East is the general approach towards the Palestine issue and the materializing of the righteous demands of the Palestinian nation. We need to see whether the US approach in its unlimited support for the Zionist regime has been subject to any change, or not?"

On upcoming Lebanese elections, Mottaki said "The upcoming Lebanese election is the last of the three rings, whose completion can lead to solving that country's problems." He added, "After gaining victory against the Zionist regime, Lebanon got entangled with some interventions, which led to the emergence of certain problems for that country. Various formulas were proposed from beyond borders to solve them and the US government even kept on issuing directives, none of which were of any practical usage. Finally, the solution to the Lebanese crisis was sought resorting to a regional approach that was confirmed by the entire Lebanese groups."

The Foreign Minister meanwhile pointed out that Iran is glad that it has played a little role that brought about a compromise among the Lebanese groups that led to solving Lebanon's internal problems.
He reiterated,"Iran has tried to encourage the entire groups to reach a comprehensive consensus."

Mottaki pointed out that Iran supports the reached consensus among the Lebanese groups, adding, "The Lebanese people are the final decision makers in the elections and although the foreigners have made attempts to interfere in the elections there, the people of that country are alert and they would choose judiciously."

The foreign minister reiterated "If the resistance force would win in the Lebanese elections, our interpretation would be that the Lebanese nation has voted in favor of resistance as a precious capital aimed at safeguarding their country and for defending their national integrity, firmly believing that Lebanon's stability and security is the entire region's security."

A reporter said that Obama is scheduled to issue a reconciliation message from Cairo in the future. Mottaki said that judging about the massage that is still not issued is not possible, adding, "At any rate such massages need to have proper contents."

He added "If the new US government has a compromising approach, we need to see what differences it practically has with the former US governments? The best advice to the new US government is to have a resolute will to bravely declare that the policies pursued by the former administrations were wrong, and to make efforts aimed at correcting them."

He said Iran has successfully implemented the strategy plan envisaged in the Fourth Five-Year Economic Development Plan (2005-2010) and has turned to the top power in the region in terms of policy and diplomacy and all countries in the region have admitted this reality.

Previous Stories:
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  Lebanon president to visit Iran   (11/17/2008)
  Hosseini rejects US president allegations against Iran   (7/16/2007)
  Enemies intended to pass to Iran through Lebanon: Rafsanjani   (8/18/2006)
  Iran's cooperation with Lebanon based on norms   (8/18/2006)

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