'Diplomacy sole way to solve ME crises'

“The only solutions to regional crises include developing common understanding among regional and international actors and pursuing a political approach,” Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Abbas Araqchi said in a meeting in Tehran on Tuesday with United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Sigrid Kaag.

He reiterated Iran’s principled policy on supporting Lebanon’s stability and peace, saying that all regional crises are interrelated.

The UN representative, for her part, said Lebanon has been affected by regional developments, particularly the presence of Syrian refugees in the country.

She called on regional countries to support UN measures to help Lebanese groups find a political solution to the crisis in the country.

Araqchi and Kaag also exchanged views about the latest regional issues, particularly the developments in Lebanon.

The two officials' discussions also focused on a Presidential Statement issued by the UN Security Council on July 22, particularly its call on all Lebanese parties to negotiate a compromise agreement with the aim of ending the political and institutional crisis in Lebanon and the election of a president, the formation of a unity government as well as the election of a parliament by May 2017.

Kaag concluded a two-day trip to Iran on Tuesday. The visit was part of the special coordinator’s ongoing consultations with key regional and international players on Lebanon’s stability and security.

She also held talks with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Jaberi Ansari in Tehran.

/SR