Beirut: The Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to recent statements by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi about the nature of relations between Iran and Lebanon. The Ministry reiterated that interactions between nations should be conducted through constitutional and legitimate institutions, emphasizing that respect for sovereignty is a “mutual principle that cannot be selectively applied or violated.”

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Lebanese Foreign Ministry welcomed Araqchi’s intention to establish good relations with the Lebanese government. The Ministry affirmed Lebanon’s ongoing commitment to fostering the best possible relations with all countries, including Iran.

In its statement, the Ministry emphasized its consistent approach of rationality, openness, and a constructive spirit in handling diplomatic issues. It expressed the expectation that its international counterparts would adopt a similar stance.

The Ministry further elaborated, “Rationality in relations between states presupposes, first and foremost, dealing with states through their constitutional and legitimate institutions, not with ‘parties’ or ‘factions’ within them.”

Highlighting the principle of reciprocity, the Lebanese Foreign Ministry noted, “Just as Iran, or any other host country, would not accept a Lebanese ambassador bypassing its official institutions to deal with parties or factions independently, Lebanon will not accept such a thing either.”

The Ministry underscored that “relations between states are built with and through states, and respect for sovereignty is a mutual principle that cannot be selectively applied or violated.”

The Lebanese response came in light of Araqchi’s remarks on the Lebanese situation, where he expressed Tehran’s desire to build positive relations with all Lebanese groups and factions, while also reiterating readiness to strengthen ties with the Lebanese government.