defense

Tehran, Nov 25, IRNA - President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad officially saw off his Lebanese counterpart Michel Suleiman on Tuesday after his two-day state visit to Iran. Speaking to reporters, Suleiman said that during his two-day stay in Tehran he had very fruitful talks with Iranian officials on expansion of mutual relations and expansion of all-out cooperation.

The two presidents reviewed guard of honor as national anthems of their countries were played.

President Suleiman on his part declared support for Iran's measures and stance towards national reconciliation in Lebanon to help resolve the country's internal issues.

Lauding Iran's help in his country's national reconciliation, he said, "We truly appreciate Iran's stands and support for national reconciliation in Lebanon as well as the country's contribution in resolving problems in Lebanon."

The Lebanese president also invited his Iranian counterpart President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to pay an official visit to Lebanon at the earliest opportunity.

The ministers of foreign affairs, interior, labor and industries and mines were present in the ceremony.

Suleiman arrived in Tehran on Monday at the head of a delegation for talks with senior Iranian officials.

Michel Suleiman visited the exhibition by Iran's Defense Ministry

During his stay in Tehran, Suleiman conferred with Supreme Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani, Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki and Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili, on a host of issues including bilateral relations as well as developments in Lebanon, the region and world.

Supreme Leader underlines importance of unity among Lebanese groups

Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said on Tuesday that unity among different Lebanese ethnic groups is the key to Lebanon's salvation and progress.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that power of all Lebanese groups should be at the service of the country's national unity to counter the danger of the Zionist regime," Ayatollah Khamenei told visiting Lebanese President Michel Suleiman and his accompanying delegation.

The Supreme Leader, lauding Suleiman's stances in support of Islamic resistance and also his efforts to establish national unity and maintain national identity of the Lebanese army, said that Iran will always side with Lebanon and it is hoped that the talks held during the visit will further promote bilateral relations.

Ayatollah Khamenei stressed that Lebanon enjoys high significance despite its small geographical limits.

"An instance of this is "exemplary" co-existence of different religious groups in Lebanon," added Ayatollah Khamenei.

The Supreme Leader said another instance of such a significance of Lebanon is the historical victory of the Lebanese people over the Zionist regime.

"Over the past 60 years, none of the Muslim and Arab states have been able to face the Zionist regime but people in Lebanon managed to break this myth and drive the Israeli army out of their soil," added Ayatollah Khamenei.

Underlining unity in Lebanon as the main factor of victory over the Zionist regime, Ayatollah Khamenei said, "Inter-factional dialogue underway in Lebanon, headed by the president, is positive because Lebanon's bright prospect depends on national unity.

The Supreme Leader added that Lebanon has turned into a model for other Muslim nations due to its resistance to the Zionist regime's aggressions. "During the 33-day war period, many Muslims in the Islamic and Arab states chanted slogans in support of Lebanese Hizbollah, especially Seyed Hassan Nasrallah."

Ayatollah Khamenei said support for resistance in the world of Islam and Arab states is highly meaningful.

"We should keep the spirit of resistance in our hearts and then in action so as to proceed." Calling terrorism a "very big danger" to Lebanon and all regional states, Ayatollah Khamenei said, "Terrorism which emerged due to financial support of certain governments hit them first. Those governments, however, did not take lessons and continue supporting the terrorists."

Underlining the need for adoption of a proper strategy to face terrorism, the Supreme Leader also urged repatriation of homeless Palestinians residing in Arab states to their homeland.

Ayatollah Khamenei said certain people suppose that repatriation of the Palestinian refugees is impossible but this will definitely happen.

For his part, Suleiman, thanking the Iranian government and nation for supporting Lebanon, especially during and after the 33-day war and in the period of reconstruction, said Iran's role in solving Lebanon's domestic problems and conclusion of Doha deal was very outstanding and valuable.

The Lebanese president, outlining political, security and economic conditions in Lebanon, said presence of a large number of ministers, representing different Lebanese groups, as members of his delegation during his Iran visit is a sign that all Lebanese groups are grateful to Iran.

He said a powerful government now ruling Lebanon has strengthened the resistance.

Underlining that the Lebanese army should be the symbol of national unity, Suleiman said the army wants Lebanon's dignity and that resistance is symbol of dignity.

... Payvand News - 11/25/08 ... --