Hariri appeals to Iran
Photo: AP
Lebanon's Hariri seeks Iran help
PM heading to Tehran, says Iran has important role in maintaining Lebanese stability
As he prepared to head to Iran, Lebanese Prime Minister Sa'ad al-Hariri emphasized Friday Tehran's significant role in maintaining stability in his country.
Hariri will be arriving in Iran Saturday, against the backdrop of reports that the UN tribunal probing the assassination of his father, Rafik al-Hariri, will soon be implicating Hezbollah in the killing.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran has a natural role to play in the region, especially in resolving crises and reinforcing Lebanon's stability," the Lebanese leader told official Iranian news agency IRNA.
Al-Hariri's visit to Iran is expected to last two days. During the trip, he is scheduled to meet with Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as well as other Iranian officials.
In the past, al-Hariri was considered to be one of the harshest critics of Syria, which was first charged with responsibility for the assassination, and of Iran. However, following the Lebanon elections last year, he greatly improved his ties with both Damascus and Tehran.
