Hassan Rouhani meets Lebanese FM in first encounter with foreign official since elections
Newly elected Iranian president Hassan Rohani has met with
Lebanon Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour, in a first encounter with
an Arab and foreign official since his election, ISNA news agency
reported.
In a recently held Iranian presidential elections, Rohani secured
50.7 percent of votes, thus winning the elections.
Ruhani expressed hope for the Lebanese government's success in
strengthening internal unity between the Lebanese, and in boosting
Lebanese-Iranian bilateral ties.
"Lebanon is a friend and brother nation, and we shall always stand
besides it and its resistance against attackers," Rohani said.
With regards to the Syrian crisis, Rohani urged all to exert
efforts for reaching an agreement to cease-fire and halt all
foreign interferences, leaving Syrian officials to decide on what
they want.
Mansour, in turn, briefed Rohani on threats against Lebanon in the
wake of continued war in Syria and sending of arms and militants,
with the support of several countries.
"Democracy does not come from sending weapons to Syria," Mansour
noted, expressing Lebanon's concern over escalation of violence and
the increasing number of Syrian refugees in Lebanon.
Following his meeting with the Lebanese minister, Rohani contacted Lebanon President Michel Sleiman, in his first call to a head of state after his election.