Egypt FM: Iran Should Keep out of Arab States’ Affairs - Hariri on Eve of Tehran Visit: Iran Involved in Lebanon’s Stability Efforts

26/11/2010 “Iran should keep out of the internal affairs of Arab countries in the Gulf and not meddle in Iraq and Lebanon. Iranian interventions in the internal affairs of the Gulf must not be allowed," Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit told Qatari newspaper Al-Sharq.

"We say to our brothers in Iran ... Iraq must be left alone and Lebanon must be left alone. And Iran should not intrude in Bahrain in any way," said Abul Gheit. "The security of Gulf countries comes first, and Egypt gives it much of its attention," said the minister, who accompanied President Hosni Mubarak on a Doha visit which ended on Thursday.

Abul Gheit also called for a diplomatic solution between Iran and the international community on its nuclear program. "Egypt is aware and knows that Iran has a problem with the Western world," he said. "The settlement of Western-Iranian problems must be achieved via diplomatic and political means, away from military action and war."

In September, Mubarak warned of "new dangers that are emerging in the Gulf region and threaten its stability," in an apparent allusion to Iran.

Hariri on Eve of Tehran Visit: Iran Involved in Lebanon’s Stability Efforts

26/11/2010 Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri said on the eve of his Tehran trip Friday that Iran is involved in efforts to ensure stability in Lebanon. "Attempts to destabilize any country of the region is a threat to both the interests of Arabs and Iran at the same time," Hariri told Iran's news agency, IRNA.

He said Iran was "involved in efforts to ensure stability in all countries of the region, including Lebanon, which looks positively toward Syrian and Saudi efforts to strengthen Lebanon stability."

Hariri described as "historic" the ties between Iran and Lebanon. On political ties, however, Hariri said Lebanon looks forward to a "relationship between two countries that respect each other's sovereignty and interests."

In response to a question about his father's assassination, Hariri said he never accused Hezbollah of involvement.

In the meantime, Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Ghadanfar Roken Abadi said that the Lebanese people will sense positive repercussions in their country following Saturday’s visit of Hariri to Tehran.

According to NOW Lebanon’s correspondent, Abadi told reporters while he was heading to Tehran that Hariri’s visit to Iran is significant. He also said that Iran is not sided with one Lebanese party against another
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