Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Thursday that Lebanon could no longer afford to be drawn into regional conflicts, as Beirut seeks to reset relations with Tehran after Hezbollah's involvement in the latest Middle East war.

Salam made the remarks during a meeting with Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he called for a new relationship between Lebanon and Iran based on mutual respect for sovereignty and non-interference.

Salam's office said the Lebanese premier stressed that the country had paid a heavy price in terms of its security, stability and economy and did not want to become “a battleground for regional conflicts or an arena for exchanging messages.”

The premier told Pezeshkian that Lebanon was looking to “turn a new page” in its relationship with Iran and establish what he described as a sound state-to-state relationship.

Such ties, he said, should be based on respect for each country's sovereignty and independence, non-interference in the internal affairs of the other and shared interests.

He also called on Iran to nominate a new ambassador to Lebanon, addressing a diplomatic dispute that has strained relations between Beirut and Tehran.

Iran's ambassador-designate Mohammad Reza Sheibani had his accreditation withdrawn by Lebanon in March and was declared persona non grata after fighting broke out.

Salam also told Pezeshkian that Lebanon's immediate priority was for Israel to fully withdraw from Lebanese territory and halt its attacks.

At the same time, he said Lebanon needed to move forward with extending the authority of the Lebanese state across all its territory and ensuring that weapons were held exclusively by the state — a direct reference to Hezbollah's armed status.

Hezbollah has so far refused to surrender its weapons, maintaining that its arms are necessary to defend Lebanon against Israel.