Iran-Iraq Defense Ministers Hold First Round Of Talks

Tehran, Oct 19, IRNA – The first round of talks between Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehgan and visiting Lebanese Defense Minister Samir Moqbel was held here on Saturday. According to the report of Defense Ministry Media Department, Brigadier General Dehqan expressed pleasure with visit of his Lebanese counterpart, especially in such a sensitive period of time in the region. Referring to many commonalities in culture, religious and social fields among the two nations, Dehqan called Lebanon as an independent and stable state with a geo-political position in the region, which had always have an important position in Iran's foreign policy. He also expressed pleasure with excellent relations and promotion of cooperation and useful consultations between the two countries in different fields, adding Iran ia ready to expand bilateral ties with Lebanon in all grounds. General Dehqan said ISIS terrorists and the Zionist regime are two sides of a coin, which by killing innocent people and demolishing economic infra-structures and weakening ability of the resistance in Palestine, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq are targetting security and stability of the Islamic states. He said strengthening of the Lebanese army, as a symbol of Lebanon might and a big obstacle against terrorist groups acts and security disruption in the country, is necessary. He named Lebanon as the front line of resistance against the Zionist regime and continued that Lebanese resistance does not belong to any special religion or group and cooperation between Lebanese army and resistance with support of people has caused increasing ability of the country against invasion of the Zionist regime and moves of the terrorist groups. Expounding on Iran's defensive abilities, which relies on domestic might, the general said that Iran with the aim of consolidating national might and strengthening security in Lebanon, is ready to supply Lebanese army with its needs and transfer its experiences in confrontation with terrorists and Takfiri groups to Lebanon military. Lebanese Defense Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, for his part, said that we intend to discuss issues of mutual interest in this trip. Samir Moqbel said that currently Lebanon is in a special situation and Iran's help would be very important for us. He added that cooperation between Iran and Lebanon in all fields, including defensive sector, is underlined and it is hoped that his visit could be a new chapter of common and effective cooperation between the two countries. Moqbel called the Zionist regime and Takfiri terrorist groups enemies of Lebanon and added that all ethnic groups, politicians and people are supporting Lebanese army. He stressed that equipping Lebanese army with needed and modern weapons will increase its operational power against Takfiri and terrorist groups and does not allow that stability and tranquility in the country to be damaged./end