Visiting Iranian official calls on Lebanese govt. to 'arm everyone'

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh told Al-Jadeed TV on Friday that he met with a number of Lebanese officials over the past two days to exchange views and positions, describing the atmosphere of the meetings as good.

He added that a recent meeting in New York with Lebanese officials addressed the issue of the controversy over the Iranian ambassador to Lebanon, noting that there are proposals to choose a path acceptable to both parties.

Khatibzadeh also considered that the issue of the ambassador “should not have reached this point.”

As for Hezbollah’s arms, the Iranian official called on the Lebanese government to “arm everyone” instead of “removing weapons in the face of the aggressors.”

He added that any decision regarding Hezbollah's involvement in a potential new Iran-Israel conflict would rest with the group itself, rather than with Tehran.