Iran Seeks to Boost Cooperation with Arab States

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran’s Ambassador to Lebanon Mohammad Reza Sheybani on Thursday called for “upgraded cooperation and solidarity” between Middle Eastern countries.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with the Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, Sheybani said exchanging visits by officials of such Middle Eastern states “would help bolster the required cooperation”.

Tehran, the diplomat said, is “fully prepared to upgrade exchange of visits by officials of both countries (Iran and Lebanon).”

A visit to Tehran by Siniora would have “positive impact on bolstering bilateral relations,” he added.

Sheybani denied reports that Iran had appointed an Iranian successor to slain Hezbollah commander Imad Mughniyeh, who was killed in a car bomb blast in the Syrian capital of Damascus last February.

“Hezbollah is an independent party and we strongly deny this claim,” Sheybani said.