Member of the Lebanese Parliament Imad Wakim, came forward with his colleague Lebanese politician George Okais, to question the Lebanese government’s stance in regards to comments made by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps.
On the 2nd of January, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Airforce Commander, Amir Ali Hajizadeh, stated that “all the missile capabilities of Gaza and Lebanon have been supported by Iran, and they are the front line to confront Israel.”
Through the House of Representatives, Wakim and Okais questioned the government’s position on the IRGC’s statement, demanding to summon the Iranian ambassador through the Lebanese foreign minister, for the purpose of informing him of Lebanese politician’s opposing stance.
Sharing the hashtag “Your Hand Off Lebanon”, which has been trending since the official unveiling of Soleimani’s statue in Beirut, Wakim explicitly stated that Iran’s statement goes against Lebanon’s sovereignty and independence.
“Lebanon is a country that thrives off of its own independence, and for it to be considered as a frontline for any dangerous confrontation is completely rejected and put the fate of Lebanese people in danger,” Wakim shared.
Wakim, a member of the Lebanese Forces, emphasized that his party will do its best to ensure that Lebanon won’t fall prey to a “political ploy”.
President Michel Aoun on Sunday stressed that Lebanon has sovereignty over its border and territory, saying that Lebanon has no partner with Iran to preserve its country’s independence, its sovereignty over its border and territory, as well as its decision-making.
Meanwhile, Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon and Iraq’s PMU repeatedly state their readiness to defend Iranian interests in the face of what they say are US threats.
Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, spoke of Iran’s military readiness to respond to the US “whenever it deems proper.”
However, he was forced to play down comments made by the senior IRGC figure after the latter’s remarks were criticized by Lebanon’s president and more bluntly by several Lebanese politicians, and not less openly by the Lebanese people.