Lebanon must ‘break free’ from Iran, Sa’ar tells UN envoy

Meeting with the United Nations envoy to Lebanon, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar stresses the need for Lebanon to free itself from Iranian influence.

Sa’ar warns that “Iran is smuggling funds to Hezbollah in Lebanon to rebuild its strength. Lebanon has an opportunity to break free from the Iranian occupation,” according to the foreign minister’s office in its readout of the sit-down with Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert.

In late February, Lebanon reportedly seized $2.5 million in cash, which three sources said was destined for the Iran-backed Hezbollah terror group.

During the meeting in Jerusalem, Sa’ar presents Israel’s position on security matters such as the five posts where the IDF remains in Lebanon along the border to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its strength, as well as a range of issues related to the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and “the situation in the country,” the Foreign Ministry says.

Israel withdrew its troops from most of south Lebanon in early February, but left soldiers at what it said were key positions inside Lebanon. Lebanese officials say it is a violation of the US-brokered ceasefire to end the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah that began when the terror group began attacking Israel on October 8, 2023.