Iran: No Deal in Lebanon until Bush leaves office

By Rick Moran

If there was any doubt about who calls the shots for Hezb'allah, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made it clear for all to see:

Diplomatic sources close to Tehran on Wednesday quoted Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as telling a high-ranking Arab official that Lebanon will not have a new President or a new government before the end of U.S. President George Bush's term Jan. 20, 2009.

Meanwhile, a French diplomatic source familiar with Iran's policy, said Tehran was "waiting for a change in the U.S. administration before it decides whether it wants negotiations on the nuclear issue."

The source said Iran's priority "is to negotiate with Washington, not with Europeans." "If Tehran decides to negotiate with a new U.S. Administration, then it would want comprehensive talks including its role in Iraq in return for the nuclear issue, just as Syria wants to negotiate its role in Iraq in exchange for Lebanon," the French source said.

Ten months is an eternity when it comes to the tense political situation in Lebanon. But given the absolute and unbending position of Hezb'allah on settling on a compromise candidate for president and forming a new government, it would appear that the Lebanese will have to limp along until Tehran gives their terrorist partners the go ahead to make a deal.

I find it interesting also that both Syria and Iran are making no bones about their intentions when it comes to negotiations with the US. Syria expects us to trade our interest in Lebanon (and give them a free hand in that country) and in return, they will cease supporting Sunni insurgents and close their borders. Iran will be looking to have us trade our interest in Iraq while giving them a free hand to meddle whenever they wish.

Do you think Obama is paying any attention?