BEIRUT: Remarks by an Iranian general that drew the ire of the opposition March 14 coalition were twisted, Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Ghazanfar Roknabadi said.

The head of Iran’s elite Quds Force, Brig. Gen. Qassem Suleimani, had reportedly said that both south Lebanon and Iraq fall under Iran’s influence.

"I am surprised at the fuss that was made before anyone read the text in the original Persian,” Roknabadi said in an interview published by As-Safir Monday.

“In his original remarks, Brig. Gen. Qassem Suleimani said many countries in the region are inspired by the ideas of the Islamic Revolution in Iran. Unfortunately, his words have been deliberately twisted,” Roknabadi said.

Speaking during a conference on youth and “Islamic Awakening” in Tehran Wednesday, Suleimani said: “In reality, in south Lebanon and Iraq, the people are under the effect of the Islamic Republic’s thinking and practice.”

His words were interpreted by many to mean that south Lebanon falls under Iran’s influence, and March 14 officials demanded clarification from Hezbollah, Iran's ally.

Asked whether Iran is involved in mediation efforts to end the Syria crisis, Roknabadi reiterated Tehran’s position.

“Iran’s stance has been clear from the beginning. It supports the just demands of peoples, including the Syrian people,” he stressed.

“We are doing our best to support this popular Syrian demand. We look forward to the return of stability and security across Syria while at the same time hoping that the popular demands are met," the Iranian envoy added.

In response to a question as to whether Tehran would continue to support the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad, Roknabadi said: "We stand by Syria, its people, leadership and the government.”

He said a visit to Beirut by Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salihi is “imminent, God willing.”