Iran's Zarif Meets Lebanon's Saad Hariri to Discuss Cooperation against Terrorism, Extremism, Israel
RNA - “The threats endangering us include the Zionist regime of Israel and extremism,” Zarif told reporters after meeting Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri in Beirut on Tuesday.
He noted that Iran is ready to cooperate with the Lebanese government, people and political parties to confront these dangers.
Zarif said that at his meeting with Hariri, the two sides discussed the latest developments in the Middle East, particularly relations between Tehran and Beirut after the election of Michel Aoun as the new Lebanese president.
The two sides also urged regional actors to bridge the gaps on the political settlement of the existing crises in the region, the top Iranian diplomat said.
Earlier on Tuesday, Zarif and Lebanon's newly-elected President Michel Aoun in a meeting in Beirut discussed bilateral ties and regional developments.
Zarif and President Aoun explored avenues for bolstering and reinvigorating mutual cooperation in different areas.
The Iranian foreign minister and the Lebanese president also discussed regional developments, including the situations in Lebanon and Syria.
"Iran will always support Lebanon and is determined to improve cooperation with the Arab country," Zarif added.
The Iranian foreign minister reiterated that the steadfastness and resistance of the Lebanese people would lead to the defeat of terrorist groups.
"Iran and Lebanon have common enemies such as the Zionist regime as well as Takfiri and terrorist groups; however, beyond the common enemies, there are joint interests for stability and progress between the two countries and we have stood and will stand by the Lebanese people on both grounds," Zarif added.
The Iranian foreign minister, meantime, extended his congratulations to President Aoun on his election as the new Lebanese chief executive, and said, "The country’s political achievement was a victory for the entire Lebanese nation."
Zarif stressed that the two countries have many opportunities for expansion of their political and economic relations, and said, "Iran and Lebanon should make use of their common interests to promote stability and progress for the two countries."
"We are optimistic about the future of relations between Iran and Lebanon and these ties, which serve the interests of the two countries’ people and the entire region, are not harmful to any side,” he added.
Zarif’s visit to Beirut came just days after Lebanon's lawmakers elected former army commander, Michel Aoun, as president when they convened for their 46th attempt to choose a head of state.
After four rounds of voting on October 31, including two unexpected repeat votes, Aoun secured the presidency by winning the support of 83 out of 127 MPs, well above the absolute majority of 65 needed to win.
Lebanon had been without a head of state since 2014, when the term of President Michel Suleiman expired and the Lebanese parliament repeatedly failed to elect a president due to the lack of quorum.
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