US EditionIran's Araqchi to Visit Beirut After Lebanese Foreign Minister Declines Trip to Tehran
Iran’s foreign minister agrees to meet in Beirut after Lebanon refuses Tehran visit, amid disputes over Hezbollah disarmament and state authority, officials said.
- Following Lebanon's decision not to travel to Tehran, Abbas Araqchi accepted a formal invitation to visit Beirut on Dec 11, while Youssef Raji stressed this did not end dialogue.
- On Wednesday, Youssef Raji framed Lebanon's stance as ready to open relations with Iran based on mutual respect and sovereignty, citing 'current conditions' as reason to avoid Tehran but not rejecting dialogue.
- Citing a formal letter, Lebanon asked Abbas Araqchi to travel to Beirut, but Araqchi called Lebanon's preference for a neutral venue puzzling and said, `Subjected to Israeli occupation and blatant 'ceasefire' violations, I fully understand why my esteemed Lebanese counterpart is not prepared to visit Tehran.`
- Iran sees the Beirut visit as a chance to maintain influence in Lebanon, where Western and Arab governments back initiatives to strengthen Lebanese state institutions and curb armed groups.
- The venue dispute highlights a larger struggle over Iran's role and plans to carry out a ceasefire plan that would strip Hezbollah of its weapons and place all authority with the Lebanese government.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Lebanon's FM sees public bickering with Iran cool
TEHRAN – A public back-and-forth between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Lebanese counterpart, Youssef Rajji, may now be entering a lull. The de-escalation follows Araghchi's announcement on X that he had accepted Rajji’s invitation to visit Beirut to sort out their differences—a move prompted by Rajji’s apparent unwillingness to travel to Tehran.
For Beirut, the disarmament of Hezbollah is a major political test with a view to emancipation from Tehran. ...
Araqchi Rejects ‘Neutral Venue’ for Talks with Lebanon - Politics news
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, responding to his Lebanese counterpart’s decision not to visit Tehran, said countries with “brotherly and full diplomatic relations” have no need for a neutral location, while confirming he will instead travel to Beirut.
Iran FM ‘bemused’ by Lebanon counterpart’s rejection of Tehran visit
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says he is “bemused” by his Lebanese counterpart’s decision not to accept Tehran’s invitation for an official visit, while welcoming an offer to meet in Beirut instead.
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