Iranian Foreign Minister visits Beirut following blast

Rana Aladdin

Press TV, Beirut

During his visit to Beirut, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif expressed Tehran’s solidarity with the Lebanese government and people following the massive Beirut Port explosion last week.

Zarif held talks with several Lebanese officials including his Lebanese counterpart Charbel Wehbe. Iran offered its cooperation with Lebanon in terms of reconstruction, medical, and electrical supply.

Zarif also stressed the fact that Lebanese people should be the only authority to make decisions on their future. Zarif later met with President Michel Aoun where he expressed hope that Lebanon can overcome the tragedy as it did during the July 2006 war.

He made similar remarks during his meeting with Caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri where he also called on all countries to stand by Lebanon. Zarif’s visit comes after he previously slammed the US government for keeping its sanctions on Lebanon even after the tragic explosion.

Beirut’s massive chemical explosion last week was the result of nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse at Beirut Port for six years. The High Relief Commission in Lebanon says the blast left 70,000 buildings damaged or completely destroyed.

Zarif’s visit to Lebanon reiterated strong bilateral ties and cooperation between Beirut and Tehran. The Iranian diplomat expressed his country’s readiness to assist Beirut following the blast and said that Lebanon would successfully manage the crisis.

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