<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>330240</docID> <postdate>2024-10-04 13:54:55</postdate> <headline>PM says relationship with Iran ‘not an endorsement’</headline> <body><p><img class="wp-image-330241" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241002166389486368-original-1.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" /></p> <caption>Australians have been offered flights out of Beirut's airport near the sites of Israeli air strikes. (AP PHOTO)</caption> <p class="wire-column__preview__author"><span class="kicker-line">By <b>Kat Wong and Andrew Brown</b> in Canberra</span></p> <div class="wire-column__preview__text" id="preview-body"> <p><strong>The prime minister has rejected calls to expel Iran's ambassador over comments praising the slain leader of Hezbollah, saying it's in the national interest to maintain a diplomatic relationship with the Middle Eastern country.</strong></p> <p>Opposition Leader Peter Dutton called for Ahmad Sadeghi to be expelled for describing Hassan Nasrallah as a "remarkable leader" after the secretary-general of the designated terrorist organisation was killed in Israeli air strikes in Lebanon.</p> <p>Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday said he condemned the ambassador's comments and any support for terrorist organisations but noted the importance of Australia's links with Iran.</p> <p>"Australia has maintained a diplomatic relationship with Iran since 1968 ... not because we agree with the regime but because it's in the national interest," he told reporters in Sydney.</p> <p>"It has never been an endorsement of the regime but it has been a channel to protect Australia's interests and to communicate our views and the views of our allies."</p> <p>His government has sanctioned Iranian individuals and entities, Mr Albanese said, while the former government maintained "silence about Iran".</p> <p>Mr Dutton insisted the Iranian ambassador's comments were "completely and utterly at odds with what is in our country's best interests".</p> <p>"The prime minister and the foreign minister should show the strength of character and expel him from our country," he told reporters in Brisbane.</p> <p>As violence escalates in the Middle East, Australian politicians are urging citizens in Lebanon to leave.</p> <p>But evacuation flights have taken off with empty seats.</p> <p>A plane that left Lebanon on Thursday with 80 seats allocated for Australians had just 41 people take up the offer and though 500 seats are available on a flight leaving on Saturday, only 238 Australians have registered so far.</p> <p>"We have been warning for many months now, pleading with people to please leave Lebanon because it is not a safe place," Mr Albanese said.</p> <p>Israel has intensified military action against Lebanon, bombing southern parts of the nation and its capital Beirut in attacks that have killed hundreds of people.</p> <p>Mr Dutton also stressed that Australians in Lebanon should leave at the first opportunity.</p> <p>"If people are waiting for a RAAF flight, that is going to get more and more difficult. So I would just say that they should heed the advice of the prime minister: book that commercial flight now and get out of harm's way," he said.</p> <p>Israel has threatened retaliation against Iran for a missile attack.</p> <p>Assistant Foreign Minister Tim Watts said while Israel had the right to self defence, he pleaded for a de-escalation of tension.</p> <p>"We need to break this cycle of violence that we're seeing in the region. It's not in anyone's interest in the region to see a regional conflict, and that's really what we are on the brink of at the moment," he said.</p> <div class="wire-column__preview__text" id="preview-body"> <p>As a deal was struck to allow a Sydney protest to go ahead on Sunday ahead of the first anniversary of Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel, police forces from across Australia issued a joint statement calling for attendees to be peaceful.</p> <p>"Police are lock-step in keeping Australians safe, and continue to work with all Australians, visitors, stakeholders, community leaders and leaders of faith to ensure Australian laws are understood," the statement said.</p> <p>"Police are planning and preparing for upcoming protests in some states and territories."</p> <p>Mr Albanese said the anniversary was a solemn occasion and "that those planning any events on October 7 should think again".</p> </div> </div> </body>