As he formed the new Lebanese government in January, Prime Minister Hassan Diab said his first visit would be to Arab Gulf state as he sought international help to solve the country’s financial crisis.
But no Gulf state offered major aid and on Monday Mr Diab met Iranian Parliamentary Speaker, Ali Larijani, who said Tehran “expresses our full readiness to support but we do not force this on anyone".
Gulf states had long channelled funds to Beirut but have grown alarmed by the rising clout of Iran's ally Hezbollah.
Lebanon's rich Gulf neighbours now appear loath to help it out of an unprecedented economic and financial crisis.
The heavily armed Hezbollah backed Mr Diab's cabinet after efforts failed to strike a deal with Saad Hariri, a traditional western ally who stayed out of the new government.
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Lebanese security forces use water cannon to disperse protesters gathered in the heart of Beirut to stop a confidence vote for a new government, which they say fails to address their demands and cannot rescue the ailing country. AFP -
Lebanese protesters carry a man who was injured by a tear gas canister fired by army soldiers during clashes in downtown Beirut, Lebanon. EPA -
Riot police spray anti-government protesters with water cannons during a protest against a parliament session preparing a vote of confidence for the new government in Beirut, Lebanon. AP Photo -
Lebanese journalist Dima Sadek climbs a wall installed by authorities to block a protest against a parliament session vote of confidence for the new government, in downtown Beirut, Lebanon. AP Photo -
MPs were set to discuss the vote of confidence in the new administration amid a five-month national uprising. AP Photo -
Thousands began travelling to Beirut from across the country on Monday evening as security forces began reinforcing concrete barriers erected around the city centre. AP Photo -
Anti-government protesters run away from tear gas canisters fired by riot police in Beirut. AP Photo -
Protesters remove a concrete block from a wall that was installed by authorities. AP Photo -
Anti-government protesters hold placards as they try to block a road heading to parliament building. AP Photo -
Lebanese army special forces block a road in front of anti-government protesters. AP Photo -
An anti-government protester argues with Lebanese army special forces. AP Photo -
Anti-government demonstrators throw stones towards riot police. AP Photo -
Lebanese riot police spray water cannons to disperse anti-government protestors on the road leading to the parliament building in downtown Beirut, Lebanon. EPA -
A demonstrator is sprayed with a water cannon during a protest seeking to prevent MPs and government officials from reaching the parliament for a vote of confidence, in Beirut, Lebanon. REUTERS -
Riot police carry an anti-government demonstrator during a protest, against parliament giving a confidence vote to the cabinet, in the capital Beirut. AFP -
A demonstrator is given smelling salts after riot police used tear gas to disperse anti-government demonstrators during a protest, against parliament giving a confidence vote to the cabinet, in the capital Beirut. AFP -
A protestor tries to extinguish a tear gas during a protest seeking to prevent MPs and government officials from reaching the parliament for a vote of confidence, in Beirut, Lebanon. REUTERS -
Anti-government demonstrators prepare to throw stones toward riot police at a road leading to the parliament building, during a protest against a parliament session to vote of confidence for the new government, in downtown Beirut, Lebanon. AP Photo
Over the weekend a senior Arab official told The National at the Munich Security Conference that Gulf countries "have been very clear that it is important for the new Lebanese government to show its independence and to stay away from regional polarisation".
“You cannot come and expect money from the Arab Gulf then Hezbollah the next day completely targets the Gulf.”
Lebanon is grappling with a public debt at 166 per cent of the GDP, one of the highest ratios in the world.
At the end of November, it hit $89.5bn.
A delegation from the International Monetary Fund was due to Mr Diab on Tuesday as he sought assistance with a rescue plan.
The IMF delegation is expected to provide an assessment of the measures needed to rebuild the economy but has not been asked to provide financial assistance.
The IMF experts will begin consultations with Lebanon's government in Beirut on Thursday, a source said. it formally requested the Fund's technical help last week.
Mohanad Hage Ali, a fellow at the Carnegie Middle East Centre, said the visit by Iran’s Speaker may not help to bolster the new Lebanese government's image.
"It's not very helpful at this stage as Lebanon seeks foreign aid and a bailout and the help of Gulf Arab states. This is the not message you want to send," Mr Ali said.
An Arab diplomat in the Gulf said only Qatar had invited Mr Diab to visit so far. "No other government in the Gulf will invite him," the diplomat said.
Lebanese President Michel Aoun's office said he received an invitation to Tehran during his meeting with Mr Larijani on Monday.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said on Sunday that the Cabinet was not "Hezbollah's government", and that opponents who called it that were damaging Lebanon's ties to foreign states and making it harder to combat the crisis.
