MNA– Iranian FM Zarif held talks with Lebanon’s newly-elected President Michel Aoun in Beirut on Mon., stressing the need for developing relations between the two countries.


Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif who traveled to Lebanon heading a 45-strong delegation of entrepreneurs and tradesman, held talks on Monday with the newly-elected President Michel Aoun whose election ended the country's 29-month leadership stalemate on October 31.

During the meeting, Zarif extended congratulations to Aoun on behalf of Iranian people and government, while Aoun thanked Iran for its stance toward the promotion of stability and security in Lebanon and called for further expansion of ties between the two countries.

Talking to reporters following the meeting, Zarif mentioned Israel and Takfiris as the two major enemies to Iran and Lebanon, saying “the threat of the Zionist regime as a violator of human rights is known to all, just the same way that the peril of Takfiri-terrorist groups is threatening not only Lebanon and Syria, but the whole world, and combating this peril requires coordination among all countries.”

Zarif maintained that President Aoun’s inaugural speech in the parliament after he took the office oath was indicative of the depth and acuity of his political savvy, adding “we are completely confident that opportunities have been now presented for closer cooperation and strengthening security and stability in the region.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also held talks with Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Caretaker Prime Minister Tammam Salam, Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri, and a number of political and spiritual dignitaries.