Iran’s Velayati Rejects Hariri’s Claims about Recent Meeting in Beirut

Ali Akbar Velayati, an international adviser to Leader of the Islamic Revolution, dismissed as false claims made by Lebanon’s resigned prime minister Saad Hariri about their recent meeting in the Arab country.

Speaking to reporters in Tehran on Tuesday, Velayati pointed to his meeting with Hariri in Beirut one day before his shock resignation and said despite Hariri’s claims, the talks were not “tough, violent or involving threats”.

“Mr. Hariri said that during the meeting he had with me, he called on (Iran) not to interfere in the internal affairs of Lebanon,” Velayati said, adding that Hariri did not make such remarks at all.

It became clear that his remarks have been made under the influence of Saudis, who are not willing to see Lebanon in peace, having friendly relations with Iran, the top official said.

Velayati also said that in the meeting, Hariri tried to play the role of a mediator between Tehran and Riyadh.

He expressed the hope that Hariri would return to his post soon.