REPORT: Arab League head arrives to Beirut, meets Lebanese officials

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheith said on Monday that he briefed President Michel Aoun about the "circumstances that surrounded the Arab Leagues meeting and the decision issued afterwards."

 

Aboul Geith's comments were made after meeting with Aoun at the Baabda Presidential Palace whereby he stressed that no one wants to harm Lebanon."

 

"There is nothing new if the decision issued by the Arab League has targeted a Lebanese side," he added.

 

For his part, President Aoun said to Aboul Geith that "Lebanon is not responsible for the conflicts in some Arab countries and must not pay the price."

Earlier on Monday, Aboul Gheith arrived to Beirut International Airport to hold talks with top Lebanese officials.

 

Aboul Geith who is accompanied by an Arab League delegation, said from the airport that the Arab countries "understand Lebanon’s stances and do not want to be dragged into any regional conflict.”

 

On Sunday, Saudi Arabia and other Arab foreign ministers criticized Iran and its ally Hezbollah at an emergency meeting in Cairo, warning they would not stand by in the face of Iranian interference in Arab affairs.

Aboul Gheit told ministers that Arab nations would raise the matter with international organizations, including the U.N. Security Council. But the assembly gave no details on what measures they would take.

Regional tensions have risen in recent weeks between Sunni monarchy Saudi Arabia and Shi'ite Islamist Iran over Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri's surprise resignation, and an escalation in Yemen's conflict.