Iran, Lebanon Discuss Regional Developments

Tehran, July 13, IRNA -- Iranian Ambassador to Beirut Mohammad Fathali met with Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Samir Moqbil in Beirut on Saturday to discuss the latest regional developments as well as ways to further expand bilateral relations. During the meeting in the Lebanese capital yesterday, Fathali and Moqbil underlined the need to further expand mutual cooperation between the two countries. The two sides also discussed regional development, and explored avenues to widen the bilateral relations between Iran and Lebanon in various spheres. During the meeting, the Iranian ambassador also submitted an invitation letter from Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehqan to Moqbil to pay an official visit to Iran. Iranˈs former Ambassador to Beirut Qazanfar Roknabadi and Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in a meeting in May stressed the vital importance of the promotion of friendly ties among the regional states in defusing the divisive plots hatched by the enemies to create rift among them. Roknabadi stressed that supporting stability, security and national solidarity in the regional countries, including Lebanon stands atop Tehranˈs foreign policy agenda. Nabih Berri, for his part, described the enhancement of mutual understanding and cooperation among regional countries, specially in current situation, as a necessary and useful move towards reinvigorating of sustainable peace in the Middle-East. Iran and Lebanon enjoy cordial relations and have further expanded these ties in recent years. The two sides have exchanged several delegations of high-ranking officials in the last three years./end