Global General

Ahmadinejad says Iran supports Lebanon's unity

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-10-13 22:02
Large Medium Small

BEIRUT -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Wednesday that his country supported Lebanon's unity, after Lebanese political factions described his controversial visit as provocative.

"We support a united, developed and strong Lebanon," Ahmadinejad said at a joint press conference with his Lebanese counterpart Michel Suleiman.

Related readings:
Ahmadinejad says Iran supports Lebanon's unity 18 soldiers killed in blast in Iran
Ahmadinejad says Iran supports Lebanon's unity Big energy firms cut Iran ties under US pressure
Ahmadinejad says Iran supports Lebanon's unity Top Chinese official visits Iran, boosts bilateral relations
Ahmadinejad says Iran supports Lebanon's unity 6.1 magnitude earthquake hits southern Iran
Ahmadinejad says Iran supports Lebanon's unity Iran to sue Russia for not delivering S-300 missile system: MP

The Lebanese were capable of "running their country on their own," he said while saluting the struggle of the Lebanese people in face of Israeli occupation and violations.  

Meanwhile, Suleiman said the two countries have inked several agreements in the fields of trade, energy, agriculture, environment and education.

Iran said earlier that it is ready to equip the Lebanese Army, but no agreements on military cooperation were announced on Wednesday.  

Ahmadinejad, who is on his first to Lebanon since he took office, was heavily criticized by the United States and Israel, who said last week his visit undermined Lebanon's sovereignty. Lebanese groups from the Western-backed March 14 Alliance also described the visit as provocative.

The Iranian president is expected to deliver a speech on Wednesday evening during a rally in Beirut's southern suburb Dahiyeh, a stronghold of Shiite militant group Hezbollah.