Iran’s strategic policy is to strengthen Lebanese army: Iranian defense minister

TEHRAN, Feb. 27 (MNA) – One of Iran’s strategic policies is to strengthen the Lebanese army, Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi stated during a meeting with Lebanese Minister of National Defense Fayez Ghosn in Tehran on Sunday. Iran’s principled policy is to promote the convergence of regional countries, enhance security and stability in the region, and oppose any infringement on the rights of the world’s nations, Vahidi said. Lebanon should have a strong army to defend its interests in the region, he said. Vahidi added that Iran believes that stability and security in Lebanon and the region are interlinked. He also stated that Lebanon should be protected against threats, saying, “Today, the resistance in Lebanon is not unique to a certain group or denomination, and the army and resistance are two wings by which Lebanon is flying toward development, progress, and stability.” Elsewhere in his remarks, Vahidi said that Ghosn’s visit to Iran provided a good opportunity for the expansion of cooperation between the two countries in the area of defense. Commenting on the situation in Syria, the Iranian defense minister said that the United States and its allies in the region are seeking to undermine Syria, which is on the front line of the resistance against the Zionist regime, with the aim of saving this regime.