Lebanon calls for defense ties with Iran

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri has hailed Iran’s assistance to Lebanon, calling for the expansion of defense cooperation between Tehran and Beirut.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has done great things for Lebanon in difficult situations,” Hariri said in a meeting with Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi on Sunday.

“The defense ministries of Iran and Lebanon should pave the way for the expansion of defense relations between the two countries through cooperation,” ISNA quoted Hariri as saying.

Hariri arrived in the Iranian capital of Tehran earlier on Saturday for a three-day visit.

In his first visit to Tehran as the Lebanese prime minister, Hariri is scheduled to hold talks with senior Iranian officials, including President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on bilateral and regional issues.

The Lebanese premier stressed the importance of unity among Arab countries and Iran, saying that “unity is the greatest factor in repelling dangers that threaten the region.”

“The Lebanese government will try to strengthen Lebanon’s army with all its might,” he added.

General Vahidi described the Lebanese army and the resistance movement movement of Hezbollah as two powerful arms for defending the country’ territorial integrity and said, “Iran has always announced that it will stand beside the Lebanese army and the resistance, and is ready to meet Lebanon’s defense needs.”

“Iran’s defense equipments and capabilities belong to the Muslim nation and are at the service of stable security in the region,” Vahidi concluded.