Iranian envoy meets Lebanese foreign minister

TEHRAN, May 29 (MNA) – Iranian Ambassador to Beirut Ghazanfar Roknabadi held talks on Monday with Lebanese Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour. During the meeting the two sides discussed various issues, including the latest developments in the region, particularly in Syria. Commenting on the recent developments in Syria, Adnan expressed hope that the crisis in the country would be resolved as soon as possible. He said that the crisis in Syria has had a negative impact on the whole region, especially Lebanon, but Beirut hopes that the crisis will be over soon. Mansour called for the release of Lebanese and Iranian abductees who have been recently kidnapped in Syria. Eleven Lebanese were kidnapped last week by rebels in the northern Syrian province of Aleppo while returning from a pilgrimage to Iran, according to a Lebanese news agency. Mansour also called on Arab League Secretary General Nabil El-Arabi to mediate to help put an end to the Lebanese abductees’ issue. During the meeting, Roknabadi said Iran condemns the abduction of the eleven Lebanese by rebels who on the same day kidnapped a group of Iranian drivers. He also expressed hope that the abductees would be freed as soon as possible through the two countries’ efforts. Roknabadi also submitted the Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi’s message to Mansour in which Salehi congratulated him and Lebanese nation on the anniversary of the country’s Liberation Day. On May 25, 2000, the Israeli army withdrew from Southern Lebanon after 22 years of occupation. Roknabadi also met with Lebanese President Michel Sleiman and discussed with him various issues, including the latest developments in the region and the world as well as Tehran-Beirut relations.