Iran helping Lebanon to fight terrorism based on intl. law: Diplomat

A senior Iranian diplomat says the Islamic Republic’s military aid to the Lebanese army as it battles Takfiri terrorist groups is aimed at bolstering fight against terrorism and based on international law.

“Any aid offered by the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Lebanese army will be within the framework of the fight against terrorism and international law,” Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said on Wednesday.

He added that Lebanon’s armed forces must be strengthened so they can counter terrorism.

Amir-Abdollahian further slammed the US for its "acts of adventurism that only intensify extremism," adding, "The US should not prevent regional governments and armies from becoming stronger so that an effective and real fight against terrorism would take place."

The remarks come as US State Department spokeswoman, Jen Psaki, said in a press briefing in Washington on Tuesday that “Iranian arms transfers to Lebanon could be in violation of Iran’s obligation under existing UN Security Council resolutions.”

On September 30, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani said in Beirut that Tehran is to provide military equipment to the Lebanese army for the fight against terror.

The Iranian official said Iran’s assistance will be delivered to Beirut during an upcoming visit by Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan to Lebanon.

He said the Islamic Republic has no red lines for providing military aid to Lebanon to help it in the fight against terror and consolidate stability and security in the country.

Over the past months, Lebanon has been suffering from terrorist attacks by al-Qaeda-linked militants as well as random rocket attacks, which are viewed as a spillover of the conflict in Syria.

Syria has been gripped by deadly violence since 2011 with ISIL Takfiri terrorists currently controlling parts of it mostly in the east and north.