'Lebanon won't attack Israel in case of strike on Iran'

In Australia, Michel Suleiman says Lebanon believes Khamenei when he says Islamic Republic not seeking nukes

Roi Kais|Published: 04.21.12 , 13:17

"Should Israel strike Iran, it will not be attacked with missiles from Lebanon," Lebanese President Michel Suleiman was quoted by Al-Safir as saying during a visit to Australia.

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According a report published by the London-based Arabic newspaper on Saturday, Suleiman said, "No one has the right to act without the Lebanese government's authorization." He was apparently referring to the complicated relationship between the Lebanese government and the Hezbollah terror organization.

Suleiman said Lebanon would attack Israel only if the Jewish state initiates the aggression.

Responding to a question from Australian Opposition Leader Tony Abbott regarding Lebanon's position on the Iranian nuclear program, the president said "Lebanon opposes the development of nuclear weapons by Iran, just as we are against the development of nuclear weapons anywhere else in the Middle East."

However, Suleiman mentioned the erroneous US intelligence assessments regarding weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, and clarified that "the supreme religious authority in Iran has repeatedly said that (Iran) is religiously, morally and politically against the production of nuclear arms.

"Our relations with Iran lead us to believe (Ayatollah Ali) Khamenei's statements, but the West's allegations raise question marks regarding (Iran's nuclear program)," the Lebanese president said.

"The Iranians always tell us during meetings that they are not interested in producing nuclear weapons."