Lebanon is bracing for the arrival of Iran's Supreme National Security Council secretary, Ali Larijani, on Wednesday, with the visit drawing both positive and negative reactions linked to Tehran’s position on the Lebanese government's recent decisions over Hezbollah's weapons.
Larijani will travel to Beirut from Iraq in his first foreign trip since taking office less than a week ago.
Speaking ahead of his arrival, he said: "There are messages we will convey, and we will clarify the specific positions of the Islamic Republic of Iran", stressing that "national unity in Lebanon is a fundamental issue that must be preserved in all circumstances. Lebanon's independence has always been and will remain important to us."
His visit comes at a time of heightened political strain between Beirut and Tehran. Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam have expressed discontent over recent Iranian statements rejecting the disarmament of Hezbollah - a stance which had prompted opposition politicians and activists to call for cutting diplomatic relations, expelling the Iranian ambassador, and refusing to receive Larijani.
According to information obtained by The New Arab, Larijani's trip to Beirut is expected to include meetings with Aoun, Salam and Speaker Nabih Berri, though they will not involve Foreign Minister Youssef Raji, who is associated with the Lebanese Forces, who are longtime opponents of Hezbollah.
The Iranian embassy did not request a meeting, and Raji reportedly declined in any case, citing disapproval of what he considered "blatant Iranian interference" in Lebanon’s internal affairs and "sovereign" decisions.
Hezbollah released the programme for Larijani's visit on Tuesday. On Wednesday morning, he is due to meet President Aoun at Baabda Palace, followed by Speaker Berri. He will then meet with Lebanese spiritual and political figures at the Iranian embassy in Beirut.
Later in the afternoon, he will hold talks at the embassy with Lebanese, Palestinian, and political party officials, before meeting Prime Minister Salam at the Grand Serail.
Government sources told The New Arab that Salam plans to deliver a message to Larijani expressing Lebanon's disapproval of Iran's recent positions, describing them as "interference in domestic affairs".
The message will reaffirm that relations should be based on mutual respect and non-interference.
The sources stressed that the government's stance on exclusive state control over weapons was clear and would not be reversed, noting that the process had already begun in line with the conclusions of the last two cabinet sessions, which voted to abide by a controversial US plan that would see the disarmament of Hezbollah.
In sessions last Tuesday and Thursday, the Lebanese cabinet removed a decades-old policy allowing Hezbollah to "legitimately" weapons, enshrined in the slogan of "the army, the people, and the resistance", and approved the gradual dismantling of all non-state armed groups, "including Hezbollah", in line with a US paper presented by envoy Tom Barrack.
However, the constitutional legitimacy of such a decision remains highly contested. While both the president and government are recognised as legitimate, they were not elected with a mandate to disarm Hezbollah or redefine Lebanon’s defence policy.
The Taif Accords, often cited as a foundation for disarmament, were never put to a national referendum, and the legitimacy of the parliament that approved them is contested.
Last week, Lebanon's foreign ministry condemned remarks by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, saying they "addressed internal Lebanese matters that do not concern the Islamic Republic in any way" and amounted to a violation of Lebanon's sovereignty, unity, and stability.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah supporters have called on the public to join them on the road to Beirut airport to welcome Larijani, praising Iran's backing of the group and its weapons.
They also accused the Lebanese government of double standards, saying it accepted "blatant interference" by approving a US-drafted proposal that, in their view, serves Israeli interests by pushing to disarm Hezbollah without securing guarantees for Israel's withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory.
In February, Hezbollah supporters protested on the road to Beirut airport after the Lebanese authorities barred Iranian planes from landing, citing US warnings of potential Israeli strikes.
Party officials said the ban, which was initially intended to be temporary but remains in place, was an insult to Lebanon's sovereignty.
Larijani's visit takes place amid mounting political and public tensions following the government’s decision to task the army with drawing up a plan to enforce exclusive state control over weapons by the end of this year.
The cabinet also endorsed the objectives outlined in the introduction to a US proposal to extend and solidify the ceasefire declared on 27 November 2024, aimed at paving the way for a lasting and comprehensive solution.
The decisions were opposed by Hezbollah and its ally Amal, which have demanded that the government reverse them. Supporters of the two parties have staged nightly marches since last Thursday to reject any move to hand over weapons.
According to official Lebanese sources, the government will not back down. US envoy Barrack is expected in Beirut next week to follow up on the proposal and discuss the implications of the cabinet's latest decisions.
Lebanon, the sources said, will insist on securing Israel's approval of the agreement and halting Israeli attacks on Lebanese territory. "Lebanon has taken the first step," one source noted. "Now Israel must commit to its part."