IRAN: Iranian President insists that Iran is the only country not interfering n Lebanon

Record ID: 313652

  • Title: IRAN: Iranian President insists that Iran is the only country not interfering n Lebanon
  • Date: 14th May 2008
  • Summary: (BN11) TEHRAN, IRAN (MAY 13, 2008) (REUTERS) IRANIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD ENTERING CONFERENCE HALL CAMERAMEN NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) IRANIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD SAYING: "Iran is the only country not interfering in Lebanon. Who are those that call, support , encourage? Whose ambassador is running away? " PHOTOGRAPHER (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) IRANIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD SAYING: "Lebanon is at war with things imposed by America and by the bullying of Mr. Bush. It is very clear." CLOSE OF PHOTOGRAPHER NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) IRANIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD SAYING: "But we announce them, just as you failed in your military invasion, you will also fail now." PHOTOGRAPHER SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) IRANIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD SAYING: "I suppose that they are out of anger. We wait until his anger cools down and then we will talk." AHMADINEJAD LEAVING NEWS CONFERENCE
  • Embargoed: 29th May 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Reuters ID: LVASP5189KRHVPXF613H5QDXGRY
  • Story Text: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Tuesday (May 13) rejected accusations his country was interfering in Lebanon and blamed the violence there on the United States and Israel, the Islamic Republic's arch-foes.
    Saudi Arabia, a key U.S. ally, had earlier blamed Iran for Hezbollah's routing of the Western-backed government's supporters in Lebanon and said the violence would affect Iran's ties with Arab countries.

    "Iran is the only country not interfering in Lebanon. Who are those that call, support, encourage? Whose ambassador is running away?"
    Ahmadinejad told a news conference.
    Hezbollah, the Shi'ite Muslim movement backed by Iran and Syria, and its allies have overpowered supporters of the Sunni-led government in Beirut and hills to the east in fighting that has pushed Lebanon to the brink of a new civil war.
    Referring to the U.S. president, Ahmadinejad said the fighting was "Lebanon's war with things imposed by America and by the bullying of Mr.
    Bush. It is very clear."
    The Iranian president also accused Israel, saying it was trying to achieve what it tried to do during the 34-day war against Hezbollah in 2006: "But we announce them just as you failed in your military invasion, you will also fail now," Ahmadinejad said.
    The United States last week said it was very "troubled" by Hezbollah's actions in Beirut and urged Iran and Syria to halt support for the group.
    In Riyadh on Tuesday, Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal told a news conference: "Of course, for Iran to back the coup that happened in Lebanon and support it will have an impact on its relations with all Arab countries."
    Prince Saud said his country, a Sunni Muslim power and strong backer of the Lebanese government, was gravely concerned about what he called the "coup" that had taken place in Lebanon.
    Asked about the accusations, Ahmadinejad said: "I suppose that they are out of anger. We wait until his anger cools down and then we will talk."
    Lebanon was on Tuesday experiencing its calmest day since violence flared on May 7 after Prime Minister Fouad Siniora outlawed Hezbollah's communications network and fired Beirut airport's security chief, who is close to the Shi'ite group.
    Hezbollah said this was a declaration of war and swiftly took over much of Beirut, crushing pro-government Sunni Muslim gunmen. It then handed over its gains to the army.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register