tim anderson
@timand2037
6h

Tariq Mitri (former Minister of Culture of Lebanon) says: In March 2010, I went to Tehran with PM Saad Hariri. We had a meeting with Ayatollah Khamenei. Saad Hariri and I sat together before the meeting.

Hariri told me that we should make disarming of Hezbollah the main issue.

I didn't say anything, but the others agreed. When we entered Khamenei's office, he treated Saad very warmly and sincerely. Saad Hariri talked about Lebanon and the issue of Hezbollah weapons. Ayatollah Khamenei looked at him and said:

"Have you read "The Hunchback of Notre Dame"?

It was clear that Saad Hariri had not read the novel. Ayatollah Khamenei continued:

"This is the story of a very beautiful woman and perhaps the most beautiful women in Paris, and it's natural that all those in power were looking for her." Khamenei then asked: "What was the name of this woman?"
I (Mitri) answered: Esmeralda.

Khamenei looked at me and said with a smile: Ahsant.

Khamenei then said: "All those who knew the characteristics of this woman in beauty and tenderness wanted to abuse her.
This woman (Esmeralda) had a beautiful and sharp dagger to defend herself against them.
Mr. Prime Minister! Lebanon is as beautiful as this woman. The bride of the Mediterranean Sea. All countries want it and Israel is a threat to it, but the Hezbollah weapons are like Esmeralda's dagger..."

https://nitter.poast.org/timand2037/status/1851927169297260765#m