Iran's foreign minister Mottaki holds talks in Lebanon

Beirut - Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, after talks with his Lebanese counterpart Ali al-Shami on Monday, praised the Lebanese government for its "quick" formation of a new cabinet. "We believe in Lebanon's officials and that they are working in their country's interests to restore security and stability in the region," Mottaki said in Beirut.

Iran also saw Lebanon as a country that could potentially play a significant role on regional and international levels.

Mottaki's visit came a day after Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad Hariri paid an official visit to Syria, the first since his father, former premier Rafik Hariri, was assassinated in 2005.

Hariri and his allies have accused Syria of having had a hand in the assassination, a charge Damascus denies.

Last month, after months of wrangling by rival political parties, Hariri formed a long-awaited national unity government to tackle Lebanon's political and economic problems.