SYRIA/LEBANON: Iranian FM meets Lebanese counterpart after earlier declaring support for Lebanon against Israeli attacks during a short visit to Syria

Record ID: 279929

  • Title: SYRIA/LEBANON: Iranian FM meets Lebanese counterpart after earlier declaring support for Lebanon against Israeli attacks during a short visit to Syria
  • Date: 1st August 2006
  • Summary: (BN14) BEIRUT, LEBANON (JULY 31, 2006) (REUTERS) IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MANOUCHEHR MOTTAKI ARRIVING AT FOREIGN MINISTRY MOTTAKI WALKING IN MOTTAKI AND LEBANESE COUNTERPART FAWZI SALLOUKH SHAKING HANDS VARIOUS MEETING
  • Embargoed: 16th August 2006 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA6I44W3F7QYINAMXRE36HUN3IO
  • Story Text: Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki arrived in Beirut on Monday (July 31) in the first visit by an Iranian official to Lebanon since fighting broke out between Israel and Iran-backed Hizbollah guerrillas.
    Mottaki met his Lebanese Counterpart Fawzi Salloukh.
    On his way to Lebanon earlier on Monday, Mottaki made a short visit to Syria where he told reporters of his country's support for Lebanon against Israeli attacks and condemned an Israeli air strike on a building in the southern Lebanon village of Qana on Sunday (July 30) that killed at least 54 civilians, raising a storm of protest around the world.
    Mottaki said, "My visit to Lebanon comes to declare the Iranian people and the Iranian government support for Lebanese people and the Lebanese government. Also it comes to express our sadness about the terrible crime that Israeli occupation has done in Qana. This visit is an opportunity to visit Lebanon and recognize nearly the developments in this country."
    France said earlier on Monday that Iran was crucial to the stability of the Middle East and it was important to maintain contacts with Tehran as part of efforts to resolve the crisis in Lebanon.
    French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy described Iran as a significant, respected player in the Middle East which is playing a stabilising role.
    The United States accuses Iran and Syria of destabilising the Middle East by backing Hizbollah guerrillas in Lebanon who have been battling Israeli forces for nearly three weeks.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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