Latest news with #MojtabaAmani
L'Orient-Le Jour
13 hours ago
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
New wave of condemnations after Qassem's speech
Reactions condemning the speech of the Hezbollah leader, who on Friday threatened confrontation if disarmament were imposed on his group, continued for the second consecutive day. These remarks were, however, supported by Iran's ambassador to Beirut, Mojtaba Amani, who said, 'American pressure will not break Lebanon.' The leader of the Lebanese Forces (LF), Samir Geagea, on Saturday called the statements of Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem 'unacceptable.' Kassem had declared on Friday that his organization was ready for confrontation, especially after the government tasked the Lebanese Army with drafting a plan to disarm it. 'The speech delivered yesterday by Sheikh Naim Kassem is unacceptable in every respect, as it constitutes a direct threat, first and foremost, to the Lebanese government, then to the parliamentary majority that has placed its trust in this government, and finally to all of Lebanon's constitutional institutions, including the presidency of the Republic and the presidency of the Council of Ministers,' Geagea said in a statement. 'It is also a direct threat to all free Lebanese,' he added. 'Supporting constitutional institutions' 'If Sheikh Naïm assumes that there are no longer any free Lebanese in Lebanon, he is gravely mistaken. If he assumes that he can thereby impose his authority, which does not exist, on these free Lebanese, he is also gravely mistaken,' added the LF leader, of the Christian sovereignist party opposed to Hezbollah's arsenal. In a barely veiled threat directed at Hezbollah's secretary-general, Geagea also promised to 'redouble efforts to support constitutional institutions' and to do everything possible 'to prevent anyone from undermining support for constitutional institutions again,' considering that the current phase is 'foundational' for Lebanon. 'These institutions, represented by the heads of state and government, are striving, with all their patriotism, energy, and strength, to restore Lebanon to itself, to reestablish order in the state, to bring Lebanon's friends back to its side, and also to bring the international community back with it,' he concluded. After more than a year of war between Israel and Hezbollah, the party, which has lost much of its leadership—including its chief Hassan Nasrallah, eliminated by the Israeli army on Sep. 27, 2024— continues to refuse to hand over its arsenal to the Lebanese Army, despite pressure from authorities and the international community. Beirut MP Ibrahim Mneimneh (opposition) said that Hezbollah 'should clearly declare that it is handing over its weapons and limit discussion on this matter to the Council of Ministers.' 'But Hezbollah continues to break its promises and move in a vicious circle,' he added in a radio interview. He also noted: 'The main problem still lies in the lack of trust in a state that is trying to recover. Therefore, Hezbollah should no longer make all Lebanese bear the burden of its crisis.' 'Threatening official authorities' Metn MP Elias Hankache, a member of the parliamentary group of the Kataeb Party, said, 'We cannot let pass an opportunity to build a country worthy of our ambitions in the face of a regional Iranian agenda.' In an interview with the Lebanese channel al-Jadeed, he accused Naim Qassem of 'threatening official authorities in Lebanon, the entire country, and all Lebanese,' noting that this escalation coincided with the visit of Iranian official Ali Larijani to Beirut. Meanwhile, MP Hadi Abou el-Hosn of the Democratic Gathering bloc (aligned with Jumblatt) said Qassem's speech is 'condemnable and unacceptable,' questioning why he used language from a bygone era, referring to the civil war invoked by the Hezbollah chief. 'This escalatory speech, which traps us in the Israeli game, is in total contradiction with Hezbollah's participation in the government, in which we are all integrated and whose ministerial declaration we have all approved,' he said in a statement. 'American pressure will not break Lebanon' Iran's ambassador to Beirut, Mojtaba Amani, stated that 'American pressure will not break Lebanon and its resistance.' In an interview with Al-Alam, reported by various Lebanese media, the diplomat said that his 'country resists pressures, government and people united, and wishes the same for Lebanon.' 'Iran supports Lebanon and its people without distinction between different communities, and its support for Lebanon is not a slogan but a concrete reality,' he added. Amani also said, 'If houses belonging to Christians, Druze, or other communities are destroyed, Iran is ready to help them, as it does for the oppressed people of Gaza.' Meanwhile, Hezbollah's deputy head of the political council, Mahmoud Comati, said on Saturday that Hezbollah is not 'in an internal Lebanese confrontation.' Naïm Kassem 'did not threaten, but said that we are ready, if cornered, to wage a Battle of Karbala,' referring to the battle in which Imam Hussein and his men were killed in 680 AD.
MTV Lebanon
19 hours ago
- Politics
- MTV Lebanon
Iranian Ambassador: US Pressure Will Not Break Lebanon
Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Mojtaba Amani stated that 'US pressure will not break Lebanon or its resistance, and Iran remains steadfast with its government and people, wishing the same for Lebanon.' He added: 'Iran supports all Lebanese, regardless of their religion, and its support is tangible, not just rhetoric.'
Nahar Net
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Iranian embassy says Amani provided 'clarifications' to Lebanese officials
Iranian embassy says Amani provided 'clarifications' to Lebanese officials Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Mojtaba Amani provided "clarifications" to Lebanese officials regarding his latest remarks on "disarmament," Iran's embassy said, after he was summoned by the Lebanese Foreign Ministry over perceived interference in Lebanese affairs. Amani noted that his statements on X were "general... and applied to all countries without exception, including Iran," the embassy added. The visit to the ministry sought to avoid any possible "misunderstanding between the two countries" over the post's content, the embassy said. In a post on social network X last week, Amani said the "disarmament plan is a clear conspiracy against states," without saying which or naming Hezbollah. President Joseph Aoun has pledged to implement a state monopoly on arms. But it is a "delicate" matter that must be approached through dialogue and carried out when "the circumstances" allow, he said on Sunday. The United States has been pressing Lebanon's government to disarm Hezbollah. Lebanon's Foreign Ministry said Amani was informed of the need to adhere to principles of "state sovereignty and non-interference in their domestic affairs," a statement said, pointing to the Vienna Convention. Hezbollah, long a dominant force in Lebanon, was severely weakened in the latest war with its arch-foe Israel. The war included an Israeli ground incursion and two months of heavy bombardment that decimated the group's leadership. A November truce accord was based on a U.N. Security Council resolution that says Lebanese troops and United Nations peacekeepers should be the only forces in south Lebanon. It calls for the disarmament of all non-state groups. On Friday, Hezbollah chief Sheikh Naim Qassem said the group "will not let anyone disarm" it, adding it was ready for dialogue on a "defense strategy," "but not under the pressure of occupation" by Israel. In subsequent comments on Wednesday to Lebanese television channel Al-Jadeed, Amani said disarming Hezbollah was "a Lebanese domestic matter" and Iran would "not interfere" in it. "We will comply with what the Lebanese institutions decide," he said, adding that "in Lebanon there is occupation, there are attacks, there is the Israeli danger, there is a group... that wants to defend itself," he added, referring to Hezbollah. Under the truce, Hezbollah was to pull its fighters north of Lebanon's Litani River and dismantle any remaining military infrastructure in the south. Israel was to withdraw all its forces from south Lebanon, but troops remain in five positions that it deems "strategic".
The National
25-04-2025
- Politics
- The National
Lebanon summons Iranian ambassador over Hezbollah disarmament comments
Lebanon's Foreign Ministry summoned the Iranian ambassador after he described plans to disarm Tehran-backed militant group Hezbollah as 'a clear conspiracy'. Ambassador Mojtaba Amani was told not to interfere in Lebanon 's internal affairs at the meeting on Thursday, as Beirut seeks to bring all weapons in the country under state control. Ministry Secretary General Hani Chmeitli met Mr Amani and emphasised 'the necessity of adhering to the diplomatic principles outlined in international agreements concerning the sovereignty of states and non-interference in their internal affairs, foremost among them the Vienna Convention', Lebanon 's National News Agency reported. This incident marks a rare public rebuke of Iran by Lebanese officials, highlighting the shifting dynamics within Lebanese politics. The election of President Joseph Aoun and appointment of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in January ended more than two years of political impasse, raising hopes that the country can finally tackle its financial and political crises. A new government was formed in February. Previously, Tehran had held sway over Lebanese affairs for years. Lebanon's government is facing mounting international pressure to disarm Hezbollah and place all weapons under state authority. The group, once a dominant force in Lebanese politics and security, has been weakened by its war with Israel. This month, Mr Aoun said 'the decision has been taken' to grant the state exclusive control over weapons in the country − a goal he said would be pursued through dialogue, not force. On April 19, Mr Amani posted on X that 'the disarmament project is a clear conspiracy'. 'We in the Islamic Republic of Iran are aware of the danger of this conspiracy … we warn others not to fall into the trap of enemies,' wrote the Iranian ambassador. In an interview with local broadcaster Al Jadeed on Wednesday, Mr Amani acknowledged that he was being summoned by the Foreign Ministry over the post. He said he missed the initial appointment, prompting a second summons on Thursday. Earlier this month, following a visit to Lebanon, US deputy special envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus said that Hezbollah and other armed groups should be disarmed 'as soon as possible', and that Lebanese troops were expected to do the job. Updated: April 25, 2025, 10:40 AM
Nahar Net
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Iranian embassy says Amani provided 'clarifications' to Lebanese officials
by Naharnet Newsdesk 25 April 2025, 11:27 Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Mojtaba Amani provided "clarifications" to Lebanese officials regarding his latest remarks on "disarmament," Iran's embassy said, after he was summoned by the Lebanese Foreign Ministry over perceived interference in Lebanese affairs. Amani noted that his statements on X were "general... and applied to all countries without exception, including Iran," the embassy added. The visit to the ministry sought to avoid any possible "misunderstanding between the two countries" over the post's content, the embassy said. In a post on social network X last week, Amani said the "disarmament plan is a clear conspiracy against states," without saying which or naming Hezbollah. President Joseph Aoun has pledged to implement a state monopoly on arms. But it is a "delicate" matter that must be approached through dialogue and carried out when "the circumstances" allow, he said on Sunday. The United States has been pressing Lebanon's government to disarm Hezbollah. Lebanon's Foreign Ministry said Amani was informed of the need to adhere to principles of "state sovereignty and non-interference in their domestic affairs," a statement said, pointing to the Vienna Convention. Hezbollah, long a dominant force in Lebanon, was severely weakened in the latest war with its arch-foe Israel. The war included an Israeli ground incursion and two months of heavy bombardment that decimated the group's leadership. A November truce accord was based on a U.N. Security Council resolution that says Lebanese troops and United Nations peacekeepers should be the only forces in south Lebanon. It calls for the disarmament of all non-state groups. On Friday, Hezbollah chief Sheikh Naim Qassem said the group "will not let anyone disarm" it, adding it was ready for dialogue on a "defense strategy," "but not under the pressure of occupation" by Israel. In subsequent comments on Wednesday to Lebanese television channel Al-Jadeed, Amani said disarming Hezbollah was "a Lebanese domestic matter" and Iran would "not interfere" in it. "We will comply with what the Lebanese institutions decide," he said, adding that "in Lebanon there is occupation, there are attacks, there is the Israeli danger, there is a group... that wants to defend itself," he added, referring to Hezbollah. Under the truce, Hezbollah was to pull its fighters north of Lebanon's Litani River and dismantle any remaining military infrastructure in the south. Israel was to withdraw all its forces from south Lebanon, but troops remain in five positions that it deems "strategic".
