Aoun Meets Zarif: Iran Can Play a Role in Refugees’ Return  

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif led an Iranian delegation to Lebanese on Monday where he met with President Michel Aoun at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, the National News Agency reported.

NNA said that talks between the two men highlighted the relations between the two countries and the issue of Syrian refugees in Lebanon.

Aoun said that "Iran has a role in helping the refugees return back to their homeland," the Presidency’s media office said on Twitter.

“Lebanon’s new government will give this file special attention,” added Aoun.

According to LBCI, Zarif delivered a “verbal message” from the Iranian President to Aoun inviting him to visit Iran.

BERRI

Zarif later met with Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain el-Tineh. He reiterated in remarks to reporters that “Iran is willing to cooperate with Lebanon at all levels to serve the interests of the two countries," adding that "these special relations serve the two brotherly peoples and don’t have a negative impact.”

Lebanese Foreign Minister Gibran Bassil Bassil receives Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad

Lebanese Foreign Minister Gibran Bassil meets with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Iranian ambassador to Lebanon Mohammad-Jalal Firouznia at the Lebanese foreign ministry in Beirut, Lebanon, 11 February 2019.

According to media reports, Zarif carries with him projects of assistance to the Lebanese state, including military, economic, and environmental, the most important of which is the offer of electricity generation stations. Lebanon has been suffering from an electricity crisis since the end of the civil war in 1992. Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah announced during a festival two days earlier his willingness to speak to the Iranian government to help Lebanon provide solutions to their economic and electricity crisis, without financial benefits.

Zarif, Bassil Hold Joint Press Conference: Iran Will Help Secure Safe Return of Refugees to Syria

In a press conference on Monday with his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Javad Zarif, Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Minister, Gebran Bassil, confirmed agreement on the pressing need to reach a swift political solution to the Syrian impasse.

“We support the formation of a Syrian constitution and all efforts aiming at facilitating a safe return of Syrian refugees to their homeland,” Bassil said, relaying as well Iran’s support to ensure their speedy and safe return.

“We reject the policy of keeping refugees hostage to a political solution in Syria,” he added. “The Syrian state has a significant contribution that it can make to encourage the return of refugees through guarantees on individual property rights and military service,” Bassil maintained.

The Lebanese Foreign Minister also declares that Lebanon would not partake in Warsaw conference due to Israel’s presence and because Lebanon had been adopting a self-dissociation policy.

Mentioning the case of Nizar Zaka, Bassil said that there was nothing wrong with establishing economic ties with Iran “if there are frameworks that could protect Lebanon.”

For his part, Minister Zarif said, “We are confident that the new government will succeed in Lebanon. We will always support the people and extend a helping hand in all frameworks possible, and we are ready to respond to the Lebanese government’s request to cooperate with it in any vital area it deems appropriate.”

Moreover, Zarif stressed Iran’s efforts to contribute to finding a political solution in Syria. “All the forces entering Syria without the permission of the official leadership must exit,” he added.

On another note, he said, “We highly value the Lebanese position regarding Warsaw Conference.

As for the case of detained Zaka, Zarif made clear that there was a separation of powers in Iran, and a complete independence of the judiciary. “But we are making the necessary efforts to resolve this issue,” he said.

As for establishing economic ties with Lebanon, the Iranian Minister said, “There is no international law that prevents Iran and Lebanon from cooperating; even resolution 2231 requires all countries to normalize their economic relations with Iran.”

HARIRI Receives Zarif

11 Feb 2019

Lebanon - The President of the Council of Ministers Saad Hariri received this evening at the Grand Serail the Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, accompanied by Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Mohammad Jalal Firouznia, in the presence of former ministers Ghattas Khoury and Bassem Sabeh.

The meeting focused on the local and regional situation as well as the bilateral relations between the two countries.

During the meeting, Minister Zarif conveyed the congratulations of the Iranian president on the formation of the Lebanese government, expressing Iran's wishes to the government to succeed in its revival program and Iran's readiness to help Lebanon in the areas that the Lebanese government will define.

Prime Minister Hariri thanked Minister Zarif, stressing that the government is embarking on its program based on the interest of the Lebanese people and Lebanon's supreme interests, pointing out Lebanon's respect for its commitments to the Arab and international communities.

The discussion also focused on the situation in the region, especially the issue of Syrian displacement and the means to achieve a safe and dignified return for the displaced in Lebanon.

At the end of the meeting, Prime Minister Hariri inquired about the Iranian government's response to his demand to release the Lebanese citizen Nizar Zakka, who is detained in Iran, stressing that this issue must be solved, which would constitute a positive gesture towards the Zakka family and the Lebanese people in general. Minister Zarif promised to follow up the issue.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, has left the Grand Serail without delivering any statement.