BEIRUT: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Saturday urged citizens to “safeguard the sacrifices made by our people” as he led a ceremony to mark the first anniversary of the deaths of Hezbollah leaders Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine.
The memorial event was attended by an Iranian delegation led by the head of the Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, and large numbers of Hezbollah supporters waving the organization’s flags with Lebanese, Iranian and Palestinian banners.
The ceremony followed days of political friction, during which time Hezbollah projected images of the slain leaders, who were assassinated during the group’s war with Israel, onto Raouche Rock without authorization.
The move prompted protests from lawmakers in Beirut and a government directive from Prime Minister Nawaf Salam requiring official approval for such displays.
Just back from the UN General Assembly in New York, Aoun called for cohesion in honoring the legacy of victims of the war and urged the Lebanese people to “rally around a unified, strong and just state.”
His statements came as the government seeks to disarm Hezbollah and other non-state organizations.
“Today’s threats to Lebanon, whether security related, political or economic, can only be addressed through national unity while rejecting division,” he said.
He stressed the need for “one state, one army and constitutional institutions that uphold sovereignty and dignity.”
Lebanese authorities restricted Iranian participation at the event by refusing landing permits to two aircraft carrying would-be attendees — a decision influenced by Israeli warnings against Iranian flights to Beirut during the recent hostilities.
In a meeting with Larijani, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Salam stressed the need to respect Lebanese sovereignty.
“Lebanese-Iranian relations must be built on mutual respect for both nations’ sovereignty and non-interference in domestic affairs,” Salam said.
Larijani did not respond to Salam’s comments but after talks with Berri — a Hezbollah ally — expressed Tehran’s desire for “all regional nations to be strong and independent.”
He urged countries in the region to work closely together amid “Israeli conspiracies.”
“Even if past disagreements existed, (countries) should minimize these differences and base their relationships on cooperation,” he said.
“Lebanon, despite its small geographical area, is distinguished by the greatness and strength of its people and is today considered an impregnable trench against the Israeli entity.”
When asked about the threat of an Israeli military strike against Iran, Larijani said Tehran was prepared for all possibilities.
“I do not believe the Israelis would act so foolishly. However, if they do, they will face a strong response,” he said.
