Shebani Delivers Message of Support from Ahmedinejad to Suleiman, Meets Aoun

Visiting deputy Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Reza Shebani delivered a message of support from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad to his Lebanese counterpart Michel Suleiman, reported al-Jumhuriya newspaper on Friday.

The message includes the Islamic Republic's position on regional issues, while asserting its ongoing support to Lebanon.

Suleiman was also presented with an invitation to attend an anti-terrorism conference held in Tehran on June 25 and 26.

The meeting addressed regional developments, with Shebani renewing Iran’s support for Lebanon and hope that a Lebanese government would be formed soon in order for it to follow up on the developments in the region.

The Iranian president also backed Lebanon's confrontation of Israeli plans against the country.

Shebani is later expected to hold talks with former President Emile Lahoud, Marada Movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh, Speaker Nabih Berri, the Vice President of the Higher Islamic Shiite Council Abdul Amir Qabalan, Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati and other officials on Saturday.

Shebani later held talks with Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun on local and regional development, after which the Iranian official said: “We are certain that the future of the area will witness the end of foreign meddling.”

“The people will be the main victor from these changes, while the United States and Israel will be defeated,” he added.

“The United States is working on limiting the losses that we hope it will incur and it will try to set obstacles before the popular movements,” he continued.

“It is keen on stirring sectarian sentiments aimed at targeting the sides that harbor resistance movements in the region,” Shebani said.

“I believe that my tour of Lebanon is an opportunity to explain the reality of Iran’s position towards the region,” he stressed.