Iran Senior Diplomat Discusses Syria With Lebanese Top Officials

Beirut, Aug 26, IRNA – Deputy Foreign Minister in Arab and Africa Affairs met with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour here on Saturday and discussed the latest developments in Syria with them. Najib Mikati in meeting with Hossein Amir Abdollahian emphasized importance of Iran’s role in the regional developments and said that bilateral ties between Iran and Lebanon is in a good level and given great capacities of both countreis, these relations can be promoted. The premier said that Syrian development effects on security and stability of the region, especailly Lebanon, is inevitable, adding that we are trying to keep Lebanon far from consequences of the regional challenges and events and we hope that with the help of Iran people and government of Syria can pass this stage. In a meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, the speaker appreciated Iran’s role in regional stability and peace and underlined importance of Iran’s policies and consultations in regional and international levels for Syrian development and said that the region is in a sensitive situation and enemies are trying to create disunity and differences in the region. He added that resistance axis should not be weakened and we should be aware that the Zionist enemy cannot achieve this goal. Concerning the latest situation of Imam Mussa Sadr dossier, Berri said that consultations in this concern are on the way with Libyan officials and we hope that with their cooperation, we can reach a conclusion. The Lebanese Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour in the meeting with Amir Abdollahian, by referring to the history of bilateral relations, underlined importance of implementation of mutual signed agreements. He repeated participation of President Michel Suleiman in NAM summit and said that the Lebanese delegation will participate actively in discussions about regional and Syria developments as well as bilateral ties. Amir Abdollahian, by referring to Iran’s efforts in all levels to expand bilateral ties with Lebanon, underlined Iran’s serious intention to execute signed agreements and reminded again Iran’s support for Lebanon against the Zionist regime threats. He said that the US government cannot continue its warmongering policy with false pretext of possibility of using chemical weapons in Syria and added that we are confident that wise people of Syria and reform plan of President Bashar al-Assad will pass this stage. The Iranian diplomat said that we believe any kind of foreign interferrence and terrorist acts are contradictory to Syrian people wishes. Referring to development in Bahrain, Amir Abdollahian criticized dual policy of the west and a number of countries with the regional developments and expressed Iran’s concern about using chemical weapons against oppressed people of Bahrain./end