Iran to enhance co-op with Lebanon

BEIRUT - Visiting Iranian Vice President Mohammed Reza Rahimi on Thursday voiced his country's readiness to establish cooperation agreements between the Islamic republic and Lebanon.

He said after holding talks with Lebanese President Michel Suleiman that "Iran is completely committed to supporting Lebanon." He also delivered a handwritten letter from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Suleiman.

For his part, Suleiman hailed the favorable and cooperative ties between Lebanon and Iran.

The Iranian official also held talks with Prime Minister Najib Mikati, who applauded a newly-signed industrial agreement between the two sides.

"It is the most important agreement signed with Iran," Mikati said during a joint press conference with Rahimi.

Mikati also voiced gratitude to Rahimi and the Iranian delegation for "supporting the cabinet's efforts to preserve stability and reinforce unity and solidarity" in Lebanon.

For his part, Rahimi said that his country is "adamant to protect and support Mikati's cabinet in terms of installing an electricity network in Lebanon and providing all Lebanese people with electricity."

"We tackled the agreements signed during the last two visits to Lebanon and we took the necessary decisions on them ... we also discussed the agreements related to building dams and electricity stations," Rahimi said.