Iranian Foreign Minister in Beirut to 'open new chapter' with Lebanon

Abbas Araghchi insists Tehran will not interfere with internal affairs ahead of meeting with President Joseph Aoun

Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun meets Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Baabda, east of Beirut, on Tuesday. AP

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is in Beirut to meet top Lebanese officials and hopes “to open a new chapter in relations” with Lebanon as it begins the process of disarming non-state actors and strengthening its national army.

The visit, part of Mr Araghchi's tour of the region, comes amid calls for Tehran's strongest proxy group Hezbollah to disarm in Lebanon - an indication of Iran's uncertain regional footing.

Mr Araghchi met Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

The Iranian minister's first meeting was with Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji, who is perhaps the strongest critic of Hezbollah in the new Lebanese government and was nominated for his position by the Lebanese Forces – parliament's largest party and an opponent of the Iran-backed group.

"They had an absolutely frank meeting," according to a Foreign Ministry source who did not wish to be identified.

"They discussed Hezbollah weapons, the negotiations between Iran and the US, rebuilding, south Lebanon, and the issue of respecting Lebanon’s sovereignty," the source added. The Iranian FM was receptive to Mr Rajji's concerns and "listened very well."

The Lebanese Foreign Minister's office said Mr Rajji emphasised the importance of securing support for Lebanon's reconstruction and economic recovery "exclusively through the Lebanese government and official institutions."

The Iranian Foreign Minister said Iranian companies were ready to help with reconstruction efforts if the Lebanese government requested it.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, centre, was joined by Iran's ambassador to Lebanon Mojtaba Amani, left, for a meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in Beirut. AP

Iran, through Hezbollah, has donated money to cover a year's rent and loss of possessions for those who lost their homes during the war with Israel.

A source close to Hezbollah said the visit was focused solely on Iran-Lebanon relations. They said Mr Araghchi's visit had nothing to do with negotiations over Iran's nuclear programme.

"Iran’s role in reconstruction hasn’t changed; from the moment the ceasefire took effect, Tehran expressed to the Lebanese government its readiness to actively contribute to whatever Lebanon needs," the source said.

"Iran’s relationship with Hezbollah is not up for question or debate. It is a historical bond and is treated as such. It has always stood on the side of Lebanon’s strength and resilience," they added.

On the nuclear issue, Mr Araghchi said a new US proposal submitted via Oman threw up "many ambiguities and questions".

Throughout the day, Lebanese officials and the Iranian Foreign Minister repeatedly stressed a desire for a relationship based on mutual respect and non-interference in each other's relations.

Lebanon's Foreign Ministry summoned Iran's ambassador to Beirut in April over suggestions that plans to disarm Hezbollah were a "conspiracy".

Lebanon faces reconstruction and recovery needs of more than $11 billion, according to a World Bank report published earlier this year.

But who will foot that bill remains unclear, with the country bankrupt and the international community weary.

Mr Aragchi had earlier been received on arrival on Tuesday by a representative of Mr Berri and two Hezbollah MPs.

The Iranian minister will also probably meet officials from Hezbollah, the Lebanese armed group and political party. The whereabouts of its new leader Naim Qassem, who regularly gives televised speeches from an undisclosed location, are unclear.

Mr Araghchi last visited Beirut in February to attend the funeral of Hassan Nasrallah, the long-time Hezbollah leader who was assassinated last year in an Israeli bombing on the Lebanese capital.

Iranian support had been instrumental in Hezbollah turning into the region’s most powerful non-state armed group.

But its war with Israel last year has seen Hezbollah’s power significantly weakened, although it still remains a critical Lebanese actor.

Along with the killing of Mr Nasrallah, almost all of Hezbollah’s senior leadership has been wiped out as well as its largest missiles.

Lebanon is under pressure from many in the international community, as well as some inside the country, to disarm Hezbollah.

President Aoun has said he wants all arms under the control of the state as soon as possible, but insists this must be done through mediation and not force.

Mr Araghchi is travelling from Cairo, where he had said Iran is “ready to provide assurances” that its nuclear programme is peaceful, as Tehran and Washington seek to reach a deal on the issue.