Iran's FM to visit Lebanon after Aoun swears in as president

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif will visit Lebanon in near future to discuss mutual ties following the election of Michel Aoun as Lebanon's president, Iranian Foreign Ministry announced on Friday.

Zarif's visit to Lebanon will be part of periodic consultations between Tehran and Beirut, considering the Arab country's "influence on regional peace and stability," Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency.

Zarif will also meet senior Lebanese officials for talks on expansion of political, economic and cultural relations between the two countries in the "new era," Qasemi said.

The talks will also revolve around the latest regional developments, including Syrian crisis, he added.

Iran's embassy in Lebanon denied Thursday the "allegations" by the Chairman of the Lebanese Forces Samir Geagea regarding Iran's "interference" in the Arab country, the Lebanese Al-Manar satellite TV reported.

The Iranian embassy slammed the "groundless" and "misleading" claims of Geagea, who said that Iran was not in favor of election of Aoun as president, adding that "charges (against Iran) have been a usual strategy of Geagea."

Qasemi welcomed the election of Aoun as Lebanon's president Monday, saying that the election of president after two and a half years' vacancy is "a significant step to institutionalize democracy and maintain stability" in Lebanon. Endit