Hariri: Iran-Arab co-op, a must to repel regional dangers

Beirut, Nov 26, IRNA – Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri says Iran-Arab cooperation to fight dangers facing the region is necessary.

In an exclusive interview with IRNA prior to his Iran visit, Hariri lauded Iran’s key role in settlement of regional crises, saying, “We have not accused Hizbollah of having a role in my father’s assassination.”

On Iran-Lebanon political relations, Hariri expressed hope that the ties will expand with respect to both countries’ national sovereignty.

He recalled President Mahmoud Amadinejad’s Lebanon visit, saying it provided both Iran and Lebanon with a historic chance to promote bilateral relations.

Hariri will travel to Iran on Saturday at the head of a high-ranking delegation, comprising five ministers.

During his two-day stay, Hariri will meet and confer with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the First Vice-President Mohammad-Reza Rahimi.

Hariri, who has already paid a visit to Iran along with his father Rafiq Hariri for medical treatment, may visit Isfahan on the sidelines of his trip.

Speaking to IRNA on Hariri’s visit, Iran’s Ambassador to Lebanon Ghazanfar Roknabadi said that’s the fist official visit of Saad Hariri to Iran as Lebanon’s Prime Minister.

He said the visit aims to promote mutual cooperation in different fields.

On Iran’s cooperation with Lebanon in connection with the country’s current crisis, he said Iran had already voiced readiness to have any kind of cooperation with Lebanon in many fields./end