ID :
345620
Thu, 10/23/2014 - 14:08
Auther :

Iran Awaiting Lebanon's Response To Send Military Aid

Beirut, Oct 23, IRNA—Iran is still waiting for response from Lebanon to dispatch military aid for the Lebanese army in its fight against Takfiri terrorists, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham said on Thursday. Lebanese army is on the frontline of war on terrorism, Afkham said, speaking to al-Ahd network affiliated to Lebanon's Hezbollah. She added, "When provided with sufficient equipment, the Lebanese army will be able to effectively fight the terrorists." "We have witnessed in the past that certain countries voiced readiness to help the Lebanese army but they failed to keep their promises," Afkham said. She termed a visit to Tehran by Lebanese Defense Minister Samir Moqbel as a positive step and said during his visit good talks were held on military cooperation between Iran and Lebanon. Expressing concern over the terrorist actions across the region, particularly in Lebanon, Afkham reiterated Tehan's support for the people and army of Lebanon in their fight against terrorism. On September 30, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani said during a visit to Beirut that Tehran is to provide military equipment to the Lebanese Army for its anti-terrorism struggles. Over the past months, Lebanon has been the scene of terrorist strikes by al-Qaeda-linked militants as well as random rocket attacks, which are viewed as a spillover of the conflict in Syria. Lebanon's Defense Minister Samir Moqbel visited Iran on October 18 to discuss Iran's military donation to Lebanon as well as ways to promote Tehran-Beirut defense relations. While in Tehran on his three-day visit, Moqbel held talks with senior Iranian officials including his Iranian counterpart Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan. Moqbel's visit took place upon an official invitation by the Iranian defense minister. Immediately after his return to Beirut on October 22, Moqbel held separate meetings with five senior Lebanese political and military officials briefing them on his talks with the Iranian officials including the nature of Tehran-Beirut military cooperation and Iran's arms donation to the Lebanese army./end

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