Imam Khamenei: Iran Will Spare No Effort to Help Lebanon’s Development and Progress

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution Sayyed Ali Khamenei assured that Iran would like to see a "prosperous, prominent and progressive" Lebanon, describing it as "an important country at the forefront of struggles against the "Israeli" regime, adding that Lebanon is the only country which has been able to defeat "Israel".

Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei, in a meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri in Tehran on Monday underlined that Iran will spare no effort to help Lebanon's development and progress.

"The Lebanese people's prosperity makes Iran joyful, as Lebanon's pain and sufferings will sadden Iran," he added.

Ayatollah Khamenei touched upon the negotiations held between Hariri and Iranian officials in Tehran, adding the two sides have the potential to boost mutual cooperation in a whole range of areas.

"These relations should particularly expand in trade, development and construction sectors," Imam Khamenei stressed.

His Eminence also referred to "Israel's" relentless aggression against Lebanon, and added, "The Zionist regime will go beyond Beirut and even Tripoli if it can, to capture Syria, but resistance is the only deterrent against the usurper "Israeli" regime."

Ayatollah Khamenei said Lebanon is the only Arab country which has been able to defeat the Israel, adding Lebanon's enemies cannot stand up to the Lebanese resistance.

"As long as the usurper Zionist regime exists, Lebanon needs resistance," Imama Khamenei further added.

Ayatollah Khamenei praised the good relationship between Saad Hariri and Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the Hizbullah Secretary General as well as between the Lebanese PM and Hizbullah officials, adding "this relationship should be strengthened more than ever before."

Ayatollah Khamenei further underscored that Iran supports Lebanon's unity and independence.
Imam Khamenei also noted that "Lebanon is a country of multiple sects that have been living in harmony together, and they should stand in face of all those who incite sectarian strife among the Lebanese and try to bring tension to the situation.
His Eminence also reminded of the meeting that brought him together with the assassinated former PM Rafiq Hariri years ago, "praising Hariri's personality as he offered a lot to Lebanon."

On his part, Prime Minister Saad Hariri who was speaking at a press conference in Tehran with Iran's deputy president Mohammed Rida Rohaymi at the end of his three day visit, hailed the talks with president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and other top Iranian officials.

"I assure that the political outcome of these talks were good and useful because it re-focused on the common principles between both countries. Iran is a good friend of Lebanon."

He stressed the economic talks has made great progress, adding that a Lebanese-Iranian committee has been formed to follow up these matters.