Ahmadinejad urges Lebanese government, Hezbollah to unite - Summary

Mon, 29 Nov 2010

Tehran - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has urged the Lebanese government to unite with the militant anti-Israeli group Hezbollah for the common good, the state television network IRIB reported on its website Monday.

"If the Lebanese government and the resistance (Hezbollah) were in one front, then the country could pursue the path of dignity and development and there would be nothing the Zionist regime (Israel) and its allies could do anymore," Ahmadinejad was quoted as having told Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Sunday.

He said all countries should support national unity in Lebanon to ensure security.

Tehran supports the militant Shiite Hezbollah, which leads the opposition in Lebanon. Hariri's government is backed by the West, which regards Hezbollah as a terrorist group.

Divisions have widened after reports that the United Nations- backed tribunal investigating the 2005 assassination of Hariri's father, former premier Rafik Hariri, is ready to indict Hezbollah members.

Other Iranian officials also made it clear to Hariri that Tehran would not drop its support for Hezbollah or the group's campaign against Israel.

"The theory of peace in the region has failed and resistance is the only way to confront [Israel]," Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said.

"Resistance and unity are the two main factors for realizing progress in Lebanon and whatever would harm the Lebanese resistance would target the interests of the Lebanese people," Supreme National Security Council Secretary Saeid Jalili told Hariri.

Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki meanwhile said the "Iran- Lebanon connection would create the optimal cooperation potential."

Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said that Tehran was ready to cover Lebanon's defense needs and also that of Hezbollah.

Hariri on Monday also met with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who also reiterated Iran's support for Hezbollah.

"As long as the criminal Zionist regime (Israel) exists, Lebanon will need the resistance (Hezbollah)," said Khamenei who has the final say on all state affairs in Iran.

"The resistance is the only force the enemies cannot confront and (the government of) Lebanon should therefore appreciate the resistance and further strengthen relations (with Hezbollah)," the ayatollah added.

The Iranian leader further said that Tehran would not hesitate to help Lebanon in any possible way to move towards progress and development.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/news/355674,hezbollah-unite-summary.html.