Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his Lebanese counterpart Michel Sleiman have underlined the need to foster unity in the face of enemy plots.
The two presidents held the first round of official talks on Wednesday, during which they called for the expansion of bilateral ties and economic cooperation.
Both presidents called for a united anti-Israel front and emphasized the need for increased vigilance against enemy plots, which are aimed at creating division among regional countries, IRIB reported.
President Ahmadinejad praised the historic Tehran-Beirut ties and said, “Iran and Lebanon have common interests and enemies and under the present circumstances it is necessary for them to stand together more than the past.”
Describing Lebanon as the pioneer of resistance in the Middle East, the Iranian president called for greater support for the Lebanese government.
“Iran supports unity among all Lebanese groups and thinks it is to the benefit of the security and stability of both the region and Lebanon,” he added.
Ahmadinejad said that Iran is ready to further expand ties with Lebanon.
Sleiman, in turn, said the enemy sought to create division among regional countries, adding that unity among all Lebanese political groups disappointed Israel. He encouraged all Lebanese factions to stand united to overcome the challenges facing the country.
President Ahmadinejad arrived in Beirut on Wednesday for a two-day visit to hold talks with senior Lebanese officials and discuss regional issues as well as bilateral relations.
