Lebanese President Slams Iran, Demands End to Interference

(Central News Agency, Beirut, 5th, Comprehensive Foreign Reports) Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, in an exclusive interview with CNN today, criticized Iran for using Lebanon as a bargaining chip in its war with the United States and Israel, and demanded that Tehran stop interfering in Lebanon's internal affairs. Aoun stated that the Lebanese people are 'tired' of the war between Israel and Hezbollah. Hezbollah is a political and armed organization backed by Iran, considered a 'state within a state' in Lebanon. Aoun's interview with CNN comes as the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel is precarious, and as Lebanon is once again drawn into the conflict between Iran and Israel. He criticized Iran, saying, 'You are not trying to help us... The Lebanese people are paying the price... It's all for your own interests.' Aoun also slammed Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), stating, 'This is not your country, this is our country.' He further pointed out, 'They are using Lebanon as a bargaining chip with the United States, and this is unacceptable.'