TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki on Thursday called on Lebanese political factions to show “more flexibility” in their disputes over electing the country’s future president.

Lebanon’s political deadlock has left it without a head of state since Emile Lahoud’s term expired on November 23.
Parliamentary sessions to vote for a new president were postponed 18 times as the ruling coalition and the opposition failed to settle their differences.
The rivals have agreed that army chief General Michel Suleiman should fill the presidency, but continue to argue over the new cabinet’s make-up.
“No idea from outside the country should be imposed on the Lebanese. We believe that people of Lebanon and political currents have the capacity to reach a consensus,” Mottaki told reporters in a news conference with visiting Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Walid Mualem.
He described foreign interference as the major impediment to resolving Lebanon’s longstanding political crisis.
“Some sides involved in the country’s events think that they can impose their ideas on Lebanese political currents by giving instructions on (how to defuse) Lebanon’s (political turmoil).
“However, we believe that a formula that is agreed by all Lebanese sides would be effective and such a formula should take into consideration all issues of concern to Lebanese groups.”
The foreign minister asserted that the United Nations must pursue Lebanon’s events with “special sensitivity”.
Mideast security is intertwined
Mottaki said his talks with Mualem included security turmoil in Iraq. “Iran and Syria have a common view on supporting peace and stability in Iraq, supporting its legal government, and helping it restore security.”
He stressed that the security of Middle Eastern states is “intertwined” and “security and stability of the region depends on the establishment of full security in Iraq.”
Mottaki also criticized foreign troops for fueling violence in the war-ravaged country. “The continued presence of occupying forces is another problem of Iraq,” he added.
Tehran, Damascus seeking further ties
Mualem expressed Syria’s interest in expansion of comprehensive ties with the Islamic Republic.
“My trip to Tehran was aimed at resuming talks on the most important issues regarding bilateral relations and regional and international developments,” Mualem explained.
The two countries hold constant political discussions at various levels which show their growing strategic relations, Mottaki observed