STORY: Iran stands with Hezbollah, backs efforts for ceasefire in Lebanon, Gaza: FM
SHOOTING TIME: Oct. 4, 2024
DATELINE: Oct. 5, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:50
LOCATION: Beirut
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the Iranian foreign minister arriving for a meeting with the Lebanese parliament speaker
2. various of the Lebanese parliament speaker meeting with the Iranian foreign minister and the Iranian delegation
3. SOUNDBITE (Arabic): SEYYED ABBAS ARAGHCHI, Iran's Foreign Minister

STORYLINE:

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi affirmed Friday that his country will stand with Hezbollah and always support Lebanon and its people.
   
Araghchi made the remarks at a press conference after two separate meetings with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Najib Mikati during his visit to Beirut.
   
SOUNDBITE (Arabic): SEYYED ABBAS ARAGHCHI, Iran's Foreign Minister
"During my meetings, I asserted the Islamic Republic of Iran firmly stands with Lebanon and will remain with Lebanon. Iran stands with the (Hezbollah) resistance and will remain with the resistance. We are certain that the crimes committed by the Israelis will fail as they failed in the past and the Lebanese people will be victorious. We support the efforts for a ceasefire, provided that first, the rights of the Lebanese people are respected, and second, that it comes simultaneously with a ceasefire in Gaza."

Araghchi described his visit "under current difficult circumstances" as the "best evidence that Iran stands by Hezbollah with all its capacity" and a gesture to show solidarity with "the Shiites in Lebanon and the entire Lebanese people."
   
The minister called Iran's Tuesday missile attack on Israel "a legitimate self-defense based on the principles of the United Nations Charter."
   
He stressed that Iran "has no plans to continue attacks unless Israel decides to continue its attacks," warning if Israel takes any step or action against Iran, the response will be "stronger and proportionate."
  
Araghchi arrived in Beirut for a visit on Friday. The visit comes as Israel has recently intensified its strikes against Hezbollah across Lebanon, which fueled its ongoing clashes with Hezbollah.

According to a statement released by Mikati's office, Iran will launch a diplomatic campaign and request a meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Conference to support Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Ministry said that the country will provide 10 tonnes of food and medicine in aid to Lebanon.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Beirut.
(XHTV)