Ahmadinejad starts his high profile visit to Lebanon

TEHRAN, Oct. 13 (MNA) - President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad started a two-day tour of Lebanon today for talks with top Beirut officials and the leaders of different Lebanese political factions.

The long-awaited meeting comes upon official invitation by Lebanese President Michael Sleiman.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman confirmed reports on Tuesday that Ahmadinejad’s tour will also include a visit to south Lebanon to closely watch the scenes of the Zionist regime crimes, a reference to Israel’s 33-day war against Lebanon in 2006 and the 22-year occupation of south Lebanon which finally came to end after years of resistance by the Lebanese people.

The spokesman said Ahmadinejad’s visit to Lebanon will help regional stability and security and reduce chances by the Zionist regime to implement its vicious plots.

The streets of Beirut are decorated with billboards welcoming Ahmadinejad’s high profile visit to Lebanon.

Ghazanfar Roknabadi, Tehran’s ambassador in Beirut, said various Lebanese officials, political figures and institutions have called for extending Ahmadinejad’s visit to Lebanon.

Roknabadi also said it is expected that 10 cooperation agreements be signed between Iran and Lebanon during the visit.

The ambassador told the Mehr News Agency that there is “full consensus” among the rival Lebanese groups about the Iranian president’s trip to Lebanon.

The diplomat also described the president’s visit to Lebanon as “significant” at this juncture in attempts to foster “unity” among Lebanese groups.

Since months ago the Zionist regime of Israel has launched an intensive media campaign against Ahmadinejad’s visit to Lebanon.

Ahmadinejad’s planned visit to southern Lebanon has come as a jerk to officials in Tel Aviv.