BEIRUT: Speaker Nabih Berri discussed the relations between Lebanon and Iran as he met President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran Sunday, a statement from the Lebanese Parliament said.
The meeting, held at Rouhani’s residence Sunday morning, focused on ways to improve bilateral relations between the two countries.
“We depend on your [Berri’s] role in Lebanon for the development of bilateral relations and we value your visit at this time,” Rouhani was quoted as saying in the statement.
Berri flew to Tehran Friday to attend the inauguration of Rouhani’s new presidential term, held Saturday. Representatives of around 100 countries attended the ceremony.
During Sunday’s meeting, Rouhani praised Lebanon for defeating terrorism in the outskirts of Arsal on the Lebanese-Syrian border. He also said Lebanese victories against the Zionist state and against terrorism have placed the country in a dominant position in the region.
Berri congratulated Rouhani on his re-election and said the presence of international leaders at the ceremony was the proof that Iran is not isolated or besieged.
He also commented on the recent ousting of Jabhat Fatah al-Sham – formerly known as the Nusra Front – from the outskirts of Arsal, describing this as a victory against terrorism comparable to the victory against the Zionist state in the summer of 2006.
Berri added that the success in Arsal united the Lebanese people further and said the Palestinian cause should not be forgotten.
During his remarks, Rouhani said, “Lebanon has a prominent place among the people of Iran and this friendly relationship between the two countries was forged by [Amal movement co-founder] Imam [Musa] Sadr.”
In a meeting held Saturday with his counterpart Ali Larijani in Tehran, Berri said Lebanon would not fail to liberate the rest of its territory from Daesh (ISIS) militants.
“There is no doubt that the resistance’s victory in the outskirts of Arsal placed Lebanon in front of a choice to continue liberating the land,” Berri said, according to a statement from his press office.
“And in these days we are living in the memory of the July victory and the end of the Israeli aggression on Aug. 14, I say that hopefully this date will also be the date during which Daesh will be eliminated.”
Berri left Beirut Friday and flew to Tehran at Larijani’s invitation. He was received at the Mehrabad airport by Parliament’s First Deputy Speaker Masoud Beshkian, Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Mohammad Fathali and Lebanese Ambassador to Iran Fadi al-Haj Ali.
“I am very proud to accept this invitation to participate in this democratic celebration of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the presidential elections,” he said. “I shall not forget to congratulate the Iranian people for their steadfastness against all kinds of sieges and support for the peoples of the Middle East, including the Palestinian people.”