Lebanese Ministry of Information
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani praised Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri as a provider of support for Lebanon during a meeting yesterdy in Tehran.
Rouhani voiced his support for Berri’s role in maintaining stability in Lebanon and the prospect of improving the two countries’ economic and trade relations.
“We place a lot of importance on your role in achieving stability in Lebanon and advancing the relationship between our two countries,” Rouhani was quoted as saying in a statement issued by Berri’s media office.
“No doubt you have lived difficult days and today the situation has really improved.”
Berri praised Iran’s support to Lebanon which led to the “fruitful developments” of electing a head of state and forming the new Cabinet. They also discussed economic and agricultural ties.
He added that Rouhani’s recent visit to Kuwait and Oman “was a message from him that there has to be an understanding with neighbors.”
Observers believe that the Iranian president’s trip was made in an effort to improve ties with Gulf Arab states and urge them to work with their Shiite rival to address “anxieties” and violence across the region.
It was Rouhani’s first visit to the Gulf states since his election in 2013.
In Tehran, Berri also met with his Iranian counterpart Ali Larijani.
The statement said that talks highlighted cooperation between the two countries, as well as the Palestinian cause.
Larijani hailed Berri’s trip to Tehran to attend the sixth conference on support for Palestine, which began Tuesday.
He said that “the changes on the international arena compel the unity of the resistance.”
Berri said that Palestine represents the “political pilgrimage” for Muslims and Arabs, adding that “awakening the Arab and Islamist movements should start with Palestine.”
