Iranian Envoy Stresses Hezbollah Independence

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran’s Ambassador to Lebanon Mohammad Reza Sheybani denied reports that Tehran had appointed an Iranian successor to slain Hezbollah commander Imad Mughniyeh, who was killed by a car bombing in Damascus last February.

“Hezbollah is an independent party and we strongly deny this claim,” Sheybani told reporters after meeting Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora at the Grand Serail.

Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera alleged last week Iran has sent an intelligence agency officer, Mohammad Rida Zahedi, to replace Hezbollah’s top military commander.