NNA – Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, on Friday expressed astonishment at recent comments made by Iranian Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, in which he stated that Tehran was ready to negotiate with France over the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.

"We are surprised by this position, which constitutes a blatant interference in Lebanese affairs and an attempt to impose an unacceptable tutelage over Lebanon," Mikati said. 

"During the recent visits of the Iranian Foreign Minister and the Speaker of the Iranian Shura Council to Lebanon, we made it clear that they need to understand Lebanon’s delicate situation, especially as Lebanon is facing an unprecedented Israeli aggression. We are working with all of Lebanon’s friends, including France, to pressure Israel to stop the attacks."

Moreover, Mikati stressed that "the responsibility for negotiating the implementation of Resolution 1701 lies with the Lebanese state, and everyone should support this approach instead of seeking to impose new and unacceptable forms of tutelage, which are rejected on both national and sovereign grounds."

==========R.H.