Rouhani: Iran always backs Lebanese nation, government and resistance

EghtesadOnline: President Hassan Rouhani in a telephone conversation with his Lebanese counterpart Michel Aoun on Monday congratulated him on his election as the new president and hoped for expansion of Tehran-Beirut relations during his tenure.

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31 October 2016

In the telephone talk, Rouhani described the election as manifestation of peace and triumph of democracy and of all political wings in Lebanon.
The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that the election was held in the wake of a healthy and free competition and should not be regarded as victory of one special political wing, said the President, adding that it was manifestation of peaceful coexistence of all tribes in Lebanon, being a very remarkable and a very sweet success for the Lebanese nation, reports IRNA.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has always underlined that if mounting foreign pressures on Lebanon is lifted, its people will be able to elect their president, Rouhani said.
'You are now shouldering a very grave responsibility at a very sensitive juncture, when the region is exposed to two threats, namely growth of Takfiri and terrorist groups and excessive desire of the Zionist occupier and we are confident that your election will make the Lebanese resistance more strengthened in the face of those threats,' Rouhani said, while addressing the newly elected Lebanese president.
The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to broaden relations with Lebanon in various fields such as politics, economy and culture, President Rouhani said.
The Lebanese president, for his part, thanked the Iranian president for his call and his message and said, 'We are always looking forward to expansion of relations with Iran, while underlining such a friendship bond between the two nations and governments.'
Lebanon is steadfastness to powerfully check any threat posed by the terrorist groups or the Zionist regime, he said.