Alwaght-Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has phoned the newly elected Lebanon's President Michel Aoun and reiterated the Islamic Republic's continued support to the Arab state.
During the phone conversation moments after Aoun was elected on Monday, President Rouhani said Iran will maintain its unflinching support for Lebanon’s government and nation as well as the Lebanese resistance movement, Hezbollah.
Rouhani also said the election of former general Michel Aoun as Lebanon’s new president was the manifestation of peace and the triumph of democracy and a victory for all the country’s political parties.
Rouhani congratulated Aoun over his overwhelming victory during his election by Lebanese legislators.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that such an election, which took place following a healthy and free contest, was not the victory of a particular faction but was a manifestation of the peaceful coexistence of all various sects in Lebanon and a very sweet success for the Lebanese nation,” the Iranian president said.
Rouhani also praised the Lebanese people who managed to overcome a 29-month presidential vacuum adding that Iran has always reiterated that Lebanon's people can elect their country’s president if they are not under foreign pressure.
He reiterated Iran’s unwavering support for Lebanon’s government and nation as well as the Lebanese resistance movement, Hezbollah.
President Rouhani said President Aoun has been elected at a very a very sensitive time when the region faces the two threats of the growth of Takfiri movements and terrorist groups as well as the belligerence f the Zionist regime of Israel. He expressed confidence that with Aoun's election Lebanon’s resistance front will be strengthened in the face of these two threats.
Aoun, for his part, said Lebanon has always aspired to expand ties with Iran and would continue to reiterate on cordial relations between the two nations and governments.
He described Iran’s support for Lebanon’s integrity as “very important” and said Beirut has always made efforts to reinforce national unity.
The newly-elected Lebanese president stressed the importance of remaining vigilant against threats posed by terrorist groups and the Israeli regime and expressed his country’s complete readiness to stand up to such threats with strength.
After four rounds of voting, including two unexpected repeat votes, Aoun secured the presidency on Monday by winning the support of 83 out of 127 MPs, well above the absolute majority of 65 needed to win.
The 81-year-old Christian leader had managed to secure the support of two of his greatest rivals: Samir Geagea, the leader of the Christian Lebanese Forces, and ex-prime minister, Saad Hariri.
