Beirut, Lebanon – Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raji declined an invitation from his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araqchi, to visit Tehran. He asserted that “the appropriate climate for dialogue between Tehran and Beirut does not currently exist.” He stipulated that the state’s monopoly on the use of force is a fundamental prerequisite for creating such a climate.
The official account of the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the “X” platform confirmed today, Wednesday, December 10, that the minister’s apology for declining the invitation does not signify a rejection of dialogue. Rather, it reflects the fact that current circumstances are not conducive to it.
Exclusive arms is a prerequisite for building a strong state.
In his letter to Araqchi, Raji revealed his principled stance on the issue of weapons in Lebanon. He affirmed his firm belief that: “Building any strong state is only possible when the state, with its national army alone, has the exclusive right to bear arms and when decisions regarding war and peace are entirely in the hands of the state.”
This stance comes at a time of increasing international and domestic pressure to disarm Hezbollah. In a previous interview, Raji pointed to the Iranian government’s role in obstructing this process. He accused Hezbollah of using money to rebuild itself and regain its former influence and standing in Lebanon.
Widespread support for arms control
The rejection comes amid widespread public support for the minister’s position. A new Gallup poll shows that approximately 79 percent of Lebanese believe that the possession of weapons should be the sole prerogative of the Lebanese army.
In closing his letter, Minister Raji reiterated his invitation to his Iranian counterpart to hold a meeting in a mutually agreed-upon neutral third country, rather than visiting Tehran. This underscores the divergence of positions between Beirut and Tehran on issues of sovereignty and security.
