Riyadh and Tehran "near deal" on Lebanon

Source: The Daily Star, 13-08-2008

BEIRUT: Former Iranian President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said Wednesday he had reached a "preliminary deal" with Saudi King Abdullah over how to coordinate efforts concerning Lebanon, Iraq, Palestine and the region.

Rafsanjani, who still occupies a high-ranking post in the Iranian government, made his comments during an interview with Saudi daily Al-Riyadh.

Also commenting on the situation in Lebanon, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said the situation is gradually stabilizing, adding that his country has played a positive role in the Doha accord.

"The situation is heading towards more stability in Lebanon after the different political sides reached an agreement in Doha," Mottaki said during a press conference at the Iranian Embassy in Paris Wednesday.

Concerning Syria, Mottaki said Iran backs Syria's demand for the return the Golan Heights, "which are part of Syria, as should the [occupied] Lebanese Shebaa Farms be liberated."