July 28, 2010 - Now Lebanon - Abadi says Israel using the STL to destabilize Lebanon

Following his meeting with Finance Minister Rayya al-Hassan, Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Ghadanfar Roken Abadi said that Israel is using the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) to affect Lebanon’s stability, according to a statement issued by Hassan’s press office.

Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said earlier this month the tribunal is an “Israeli project” designed to create sectarian conflict in the country.

Abadi said insight by the Lebanese public as well as the government and political figures is enough to face threats and challenges.

Meanwhile, the ambassador said he met with Hassan to discuss economic and financial relations between Iran and Lebanon. No date has yet been set for Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s expected visit to Lebanon, he added.

New sanctions on Tehran will not affect Iran, Abadi also said. The UN Security Council voted on June 9 to impose a fourth round of sanctions on the country over its controversial nuclear program.

“These sanctions will have positive effects,” he added.