Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed surprise at Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf's statement that Tehran is ready to negotiate with France regarding the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

“We are surprised by this position, which constitutes blatant interference in Lebanese affairs and an attempt to impose an unacceptable guardianship over Lebanon,” Mikati said. 

“We had already informed the Iranian foreign minister and the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly during their recent visits to Lebanon of the need to understand Lebanon’s situation, especially as the country faces unprecedented Israeli aggression.  We are working with all of Lebanon’s friends, including France, to exert pressure on Israel to halt its attacks," he pointed out.

“The Lebanese government is responsible for handling negotiations regarding the implementation of UNSC Resolution 1701, and it is expected that everyone supports this approach, rather than seeking to impose new forms of guardianship, which are rejected on all national and sovereign grounds,” he added.