Chatah to LBCI: Right to defense and resistance doesn’t justify extra-state authority

Former adviser of PM Saad Hariri, former minister, Mohammad Chatah, told Nharkom Said on Friday that the arms embargo on Iran does not only stipulate banning the exportation of weapons to the country; “it includes banning all parties from importing or buying weapons from Iran”.     

Chatah said that UNSC Resolution 1747 issued in 2007 stipulates that any country that buys weapons from Iran will be considered as a violator of the international law and will be subject to sanctions.     

Chatah pointed out that Hezbollah is aware that the Lebanese army, government and public institutions are all “placed under the same banner", upon Iran's offer of arms to the country.     

“This has dire consequences on the Lebanese state, economy and banks, and should be taken into account before announcing such statements”, he said.        

Chatah explained that this is not about “liberating Lebanon”, adding “Hezbollah has the right to liberate and defend Lebanon, but the right to defense and resistance does not justify the existence of an extra-state authority”.