Hariri says cooperation with Iran is indispensable

Lebanese prime minister praises Ahmadinejad's recent Lebanon trip, says two countries face same threats.

In an interview with official Iranian news agency IRNA on the eve of his visit to Teheran, Lebanese Prime Minister Sa'ad Hariri denied accusing Hizbullah of assassinating his father.

Hariri said, "We consider cooperation as indispensable for the threats endangering both countries, DFA reported.

Speaking of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's recent visit to Lebanon, Hariri said that the trip provided the two countries with a "historic chance" to promote bilateral relations.

http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=196917

(CNN) -- Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri arrived in Iran on Saturday as part of a two-day visit to the country aimed at expanding relations, Iranian state media reported.

It is Hariri's first visit to Iran as prime minister, state-run Press TV said, and the visit comes a month after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad traveled to Lebanon on his first state visit to the country.

"We consider this visit to be very important and hope for further expansion of ties between Iran and Lebanon," Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said, according to the semi-official Fars News Agency.

During the trip, Hariri is expected to meet with Ahmadinejad, Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahibi, National Security Chairman Saeed Jalili and Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani, Fars reported.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/11/27/iran.lebanon.visit/

The visit to Iran is a big deal of course.

But it is true that this runs contrary to the prevailing, approved narrative on politics in Lebanon.

Curious to know your thoughts on the connection.

TEHRAN, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, heading a high ranking delegation, arrived in Tehran on Saturday for a two-day visit aimed at expanding relations with Iran. Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi and Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki welcomed Hariri in a ceremony at Sa' dabad Complex in northern Tehran, Iranian official IRNA news agency reported.

In his first visit to Tehran as the Lebanese Prime Minister, following formation of the new Lebanese government last year, Hariri is scheduled to hold talks with senior Iranian officials, including First Vice President Rahimi and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, according to local satellite channel Press TV.

He will confer with senior Iranian officials and exchange views on regional developments and implementation of the agreements signed between the two countries during President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's trip to Lebanon in October, Iranian official media IRIB reported.

"The cooperation of Arab governments with Iran is necessary to counter existing dangers," Hariri said in a statement issued before his departure for Tehran in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, on Saturday, adding that "Iran is concerned by all efforts to provide elements of stability in all countries of the region, including Lebanon," Press TV reported.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-11/28/c_13625221.htm