Suleiman Returns from Iran with Promised Military Aid

26-11-2008
Following a historic and successful visit to Iran, Lebanese President Michel Suleiman returned Tuesday from Iran with a promised military support after having visited an exhibition dedicated to military industries.
In this context, Lebanese daily An-Nahar quoted sources from within the Lebanese delegation to Tehran as saying that Iranian leaders have announced commitment to support Lebanon in all fields. According to the sources, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told Suleiman that "Lebanon only needs to ask and we shall meet its request, and the Lebanese should have no worries in this respect."
The sources emphasized that President Suleiman made it clear during the meeting that Lebanon is not seeking warplanes or long-range missiles, but rather advanced, medium weapons in order to confront terrorism and preserve security.
Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar, meanwhile, said that news of Iran's support stirred Saudi Arabia's "jealousy," as Saudi Ambassador Abdel Aziz Khoja quickly visited Defense Minister Elias al-Murr and discussed with him the means of supporting the Lebanese army.
On Tuesday, Ahmadinejad announced at a joint press conference with Suleiman that Iran was willing to provide assistance to Lebanon to face up to "Israel". "We will stand by Lebanon under any circumstances and we are willing to provide assistance to confront the "Israeli" enemy and to rebuild Lebanon," Ahmadinejad declared.
Suleiman met Tuesday with Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei who urged the Lebanese to be united in face of Zionist threats. His eminence said that unity amongst political and ethnic groups in Lebanon is the only way to make the country progress.
The President and his delegation also paid tribute to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's tomb. In a ceremony held at the mausoleum of the founder of the Islamic Republic in southern Tehran, Suleiman laid a wreath at Khomeini's tomb. At the end of the ceremony, the Lebanese president signed a memorial book in the Ayatollah's honor.