Lebanese President: Iran is using Lebanon as a "bargaining chip" with US

Lebanese President: Iran is using Lebanon as a "bargaining chip" with US

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated that the Iranians are "using Lebanon as a bargaining chip in their negotiations with the United States" in an interview with CNN. 

He also added that Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem does not represent the Lebanese people, slamming the group's actions. 

The remarks come as Israel continues its attacks on Lebanon amidst the renegotiation of the ceasefire. 

Israeli and Lebanese authorities agreed to a ceasefire deal on Wednesday contingent on the withdrawal of Hezbollah; however, Hezbollah leadership, which was not part of the agreement, has since demanded a more comprehensive Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, the CNN report stated.

Earlier on Friday, Lebanese parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri of the Amal Movement rejected the current Israel-Lebanon agreement, stating that he would agree to a "complete and comprehensive ceasefire without any restrictions or conditions, on land, at sea, and in the air," according to Al Jazeera.