Middle East

Lebanon to boycott Warsaw conference on Mideast, Iran

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, speaks during a joint press conference with his Lebanese counterpart Gebran Bassil, right, in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. Zarif extended an offer for Iranian military assistance to the U.S.-backed Lebanese army on Sunday, saying Iran is ready to assist in all sectors should the Lebanese government want it. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil, right, shakes hands with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif, in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. Zarif extended an offer for Iranian military assistance to the U.S.-backed Lebanese army on Sunday, saying Iran is ready to assist in all sectors should the Lebanese government want it. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Lebanon will not take part in a conference that Poland is holding this week on the situation in the Middle East and Iran.

Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil made the announcement Monday during a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Javad Zarif.

The two-day Warsaw conference begins Wednesday and will be co-hosted by the U.S. Some 80 countries have been invited, including Israel. The conference is widely seen as aimed at isolating Iran, which was not invited.

Lebanon has been following a policy of disassociation from regional conflicts. Iran enjoys wide influence in the country through the Hezbollah militant group, which along with allied parties holds a majority in parliament.

Lebanon is technically at war with Israel, and Lebanese officials avoid conferences where Israelis are present.