Iran's vice president tours Israel border

Mohammad-Reza Rahimi addresses Hezbollah supporters during visit to Israel border; Iranian VP highlights "the need to stand firmly and resist the Zionist regime"

Dudi Cohen|Published: 05.03.12 , 21:22

Iranian Vice President Mohammad-Reza Rahimi visited Thursday the Lebanese village of Maroun al-Ras and spoke to Hezbollah supporters in the area.

During a visit to a park bordering on Israeli territory, Iran's vice president stressed the Islamic Republic's ongoing support for Hezbollah. He later met with group leader Hassan Nasrallah in a southern Beirut suburb.

Related stories:

"After speaking to resistance supporters in southern Lebanon, Rahimi stressed Iran's support for the resistance," said Iran's official news agency, IRNA. According to the report, Iranian and Hezbollah flags were raised during the VP's visit to the "Iranian Park," restored by an Iranian body entrusted with rebuilding southern Lebanon in the wake of the 2006 war with Israel.

Rahimi at border (Photo: Reuters)

According to the Iranian report, Rahimi observed the Lebanon border and "occupied Palestine." During the ceremony, he read a message highlighting "the need to stand firmly and resist the Zionist regime."

The senior Iranian official arrived in Lebanon Wednesday for a two-day visit, where he also met with the Lebanese president. Iranian media outlets said the visit was meant to discuss the implementation of agreements between the two states.

Tours by visiting Iranian officials on Israel's border have become a matter of routine in recent years. During such visits, senior officials usually meet Hezbollah leaders and senior Lebanese figures. An aide to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visited the area last year and said that "no cement or iron fence will save Israel."