Iran still ready to arm Lebanon army to fight Israel, Takfiris: MP

A senior Iranian lawmaker says the Islamic Republic remains committed to its pledge to supply the Lebanese army with necessary military equipment to help it fight the Israeli regime and Takfiri terrorism.

“All in Lebanon and the region know that Iran’s will and wish to provide arms assistance and necessary military equipment is sincere and this intent continues to stand,” Chairman of the Iranian Parliament’s Committee on National Security and Foreign Policy Alaeddin Boroujerdi told reporters in Beirut on Tuesday.

He added that Iran is still ready to provide the Lebanese army with arms upon Lebanon’s request.

Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani said in September 2014 that the Islamic Republic will supply the Lebanese army with necessary military equipment to help the country fight against terror and consolidate national stability and security and added that Tehran has no red lines in this regard.

Lebanese Defense Minister Samir Moqbel said in March that he will ask the government to take Iran’s past offers of military support seriously after Saudi Arabia’s decision to retract $4 billion in military aid.

Saudi Arabia said in February it had suspended USD 3 billion in military aid to the Lebanese army and another USD 1 billion to the country’s internal security forces.

The aid was cut after Lebanon refrained from endorsing Saudi-crafted statements against Iran at separate meetings held in Cairo and Jeddah.

The Saudi decision also came in the wake of victories by the Syrian army, which is backed by Lebanon’s Hezbollah in its battle against Takfiri militants fighting to topple the government in Damascus.

Boroujerdi meeting with Hezbollah chief

The Iranian lawmaker and his accompanying delegation also held a meeting with Hezbollah Secretary General Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut on Tuesday.

During the meeting, which was also attended by Iran’s Ambassador to Beirut Mohammad Fat’hali, the sides discussed the latest political and security developments.

Boroujerdi arrived in Beirut on Monday at the head of a delegation to hold talks with senior Lebanese officials.

On Monday, he met with Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil and members of Hezbollah fraction in the Parliament. On Tuesday, the Iranian lawmaker held talks with Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam and plans to sit down with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.