Iran repeats readiness to equip Lebanon army

The Iranian defense minister has reaffirmed the Islamic Republic’s readiness to offer military aid to the Lebanese army in its fight against terrorism.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran, with the aim of consolidating national authority and reinforcing security in Lebanon, is ready to supply the needs of the Lebanese army, and share its experience with this country's army for fighting terrorist and Takfiri groups,” Dehqan said in a meeting with visiting Lebanese Defense Minister Samir Moqbel on Saturday.

Iran attaches significance to its ties with Lebanon as an independent, stable and geopolitically-important country, Dehqan said, adding that Tehran backs the Arab country’s security, independence and territorial integrity.

Moqbel, for his part, welcomed the expansion of ties with Iran in all fields, including defense sector, and said Iran’s aid to Lebanon as a friendly country is highly important due to special conditions in Beirut.

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

Lebanon has been rocked by the spillover of the conflict in Syria, where the ISIL Takfiri terrorists are operating.

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