Berri: Iran Played Big Role in Lebanon Victory, Supported National Resistance

Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri told the IRNA, the Iranian news agency that "The Iranian presence in the international arena has prevented the rise of a unilateral and domineering power in the world. Iran has contributed significantly to Lebanon's triumph."

He said that Tehran played a big role in the liberation of large parts of Lebanon thanks to its support of the national resistance.

"The "Israeli" menace on Lebanon existed since the creation of the Zionist entity. The threat to destroy the Lebanese state is nothing new and will not deter the Lebanese, " Berri said.

Berri denounced the terrorist attacks and the assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists in Tehran. The speaker was referring to the series of bombing that claimed dozens of Shiite worshipers in Tehran. He believed that the recent Iranian attacks are part of international pressure on this country.

"If "Israel's" embassy remained in Tehran then the position of the international community towards this country would have been totally different." He suggested that the US and international community would have turned a blind eye on Iran's nuclear program if Tehran had normal ties with "Israel".

Berri is confident that "Israel" is behind the vicious campaign against Iran, noting that the Zionist lobby had overcome all the wills of many international powers.
Citing a statement by renowned Lebanese scholar Edmond Ribat, the speaker said that many people falsely assume that US is pressuring "Israel" while the truth it is the other way around.

Denouncing the UN sanctions against Iran, the speaker stressed that the international pressure on Tehran is related to its positions on "Israel" and not linked to its peaceful nuclear program.

Berri added that the Iranian influence have become far greater in the international arena following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Yet Berri expressed his displeasure over the low levels of relations between Lebanon and Iran, adding that these ties are below normal and aspirations.

On the other hand, Berri hailed the last visit of Prime Minister Saad Hariri to Iran, noting that this move had strengthened the ties between the two countries. He also underscored the importance of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's visit to Lebanon which was a chance to all the Lebanese people to express their gratitude and appreciation to the Iranian people.

Berri criticized some countries for refusing to provide proper weapons to Lebanon to defend itself against the "Israeli" attacks, adding that these countries put lot of conditions on Lebanon before sending arms.