Iran pres. to talk aid for Lebanon army

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is to discuss the equipping and modernization of the Lebanese army by Iran during an upcoming visit to Beirut.

Iranian Ambassador to Beirut Ghazanfar Roknabadi said that the issue will be brought up during President Ahmadinejad’s upcoming visit to Lebanon, which comes at the invitation of his Lebanese counterpart Michel Sleiman.

“If Lebanon officially calls for Iran’s help to equip its army, Iran will feel honored to help Lebanon’s army,” Roknabadi said.

After an exchange of fire left three Lebanese soldiers and one Israeli military officer dead, US officials announced the blocking of 100 million dollars in military aid destined for Beirut.

Following that, IRNA reported on Tuesday that Sleiman had asked Iranian officials to consider selling advanced military equipment to the Lebanese army.

Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said Wednesday that Iran was fully prepared to provide Lebanon’s army with cutting-edge military equipment.

“Lebanon is our friend. If we receive any demand [for equipping their army], we have full potential to help them,” he said.

Hezbollah Secretary General Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah also welcomed Sleiman’s proposal, saying “Hezbollah will work hard through his friendship with Iran to equip the Lebanese Army.”