Maronite Catholic Patriarch Bechara al Rai has denounced the influence of the Hezbollah movement within Lebanon, saying that his country “cannot pretend to preserve Lebanese sovereignty while leaving illegal transit routes open.” He added that Lebanon should not tolerate “an army dependent on a foreign state.”

The Maronite prelate made his remarks just prior to a visit to Lebanon by Iran’s foreign minister, Hossein Amir Abdollahian. Iran provides backing for the Hezbollah movement, which has played an increasingly powerful role in Lebanese political affairs.