Iran Dismisses Samir Gaegae's "Baseless" Claims

RNA - The Iranian mission in Beirut in a statement on Thursday categorically ruled out the "misleading, hollow and baseless" allegations by Samir Geagea, the executive chairman of the Lebanese Forces (LF).

News ID: 424799

Date: 04 November 2016 - 20:13

RNA - The "hollow and baseless" claims of Gaegae in an interview with the Lebanese TV (MTV) on Wednesday against the Islamic Republic of Iran, including his misquotations of Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, are categorically rejected, read the statement.

"The claims lack any authenticity and reality, being baseless and unfounded," the statement said.

Levelling charges has been a usual strategy and discipline of Gaegae, the statement read, questioning, "In the current juncture that Lebanon lies in an atmosphere of peace and stability, it is not clear what his goal and intention is in raising such misleading claims?"

Gaegae had in the televised interview claimed that Iran had not been in favor of election of General Michel Aoun as Lebanon's president.

His allegations were raised as Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and top diplomat, Zarif, congratulated the Lebanese nation on the election of President Michel Aoun after a two-year stalemate, stressing the need for Tehran and Beirut to further strengthen relations.

President Rouhani in a telephone conversation with his Lebanese counterpart Aoun on Monday evening congratulated him on his election as the new president, and hoped for the expansion of Tehran-Beirut relations during his tenure.

In the telephone talk, Rouhani described the election as manifestation of peace and triumph of democracy and all political streams in Lebanon.

The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that the election was held in the wake of a healthy and free competition and should not be regarded as victory of a special political wing, said the President, adding that it was manifestation of peaceful coexistence of all tribes in Lebanon.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to broaden relations with Lebanon in various fields, including politics, economy and culture, he said.

"You are now shouldering a very heavy responsibility at a very sensitive juncture, when the region is exposed to two threats, namely growth of Takfiri and terrorist groups and the expansionism of the occupier Zionist regime and we are confident that your election will make the Lebanese resistance more strengthened to confront those threats," Rouhani said.

Aoun, for his part, thanked the Iranian president, and said, "We are always looking forward to the expansion of relations with Iran."

Also, Zarif, writing on his twitter page, felicitated the Lebanese people on the election of Aoun as their president, and said, "Stability and progress is attained when the Lebanese people, themselves, decide for their country."

The Iranian foreign ministry had on Monday congratulated Aoun, an ally of Hezbollah resistance group, on his election as the next president of Lebanon.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran felicitates the Lebanese people, different political groups and Michel Aoun, himself, and hopes to witness growth and flourishing in Lebanon as well as further expansion of relations between the two countries during his presidency," Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said.

He described the consensus among the different political streams in Lebanon over the election of a new president as a crucially important step towards institutionalizing democracy and continued stability in Lebanon.

The Lebanese parliament convened at Monday noon for the voting session in its 46th attempt to elect a head of state.

Aoun, the head of Lebanon's Free Patriotic Movement, was elected after four rounds of voting during the session.

He secured the presidency by winning the support of 83 out of 127 MPs, well above the absolute majority of 65 needed to win.

The 81-year-old Christian leader has won the support of two of his greatest rivals: Samir Geagea, leader of the Christian Lebanese Forces, and ex-prime minister, Saad Hariri.

Observers view Aoun’s rise to power as a political victory for Hezbollah, which will greatly diminish the Saudi influence in Lebanon’s political arena.

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