Iran willing to cooperate with "all Lebanese"

Visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif announced Tuesday that Tehran is willing to cooperate with "all Lebanese sects and components."

Zarif emphasized that "the approach of wisdom, rationality and democracy has triumphed in the Lebanese political arena."

On the second day of his official visit to Lebanon, Zarif stressed after talks with Prime Minister Designate Saad Hariri at the Center House that "we are fully ready to cooperate with the brotherly Lebanese people and all its sects and components."

He expressed to Hariri Tehran's "determination to cooperate and show openness towards Lebanon in all fields, during the current government's term as well as under the next government's term."

As for regional development, Zarif said he discussed with Hariri about various regional conflicts and pointed out the need to "reconcile political viewpoints among the various regional forces in order to find appropriate political solutions."

Earlier in the day, Zarif met with caretaker Prime Minister Tammam Salam and called for a speedy formation of the new government.

And, after meeting with Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain el-Tineh, the top Iranian diplomat described the speaker's role as "essential and constructive."

"We support his national approach and we hope that the Lebanese government will be formed soon," he added.

Zarif arrived in Lebanon for an official visit heading a prominent political and economic delegation, and has met with President Michel Aoun on Monday.

Aoun was elected last week as Lebanon's 13th president, ending a presidential vacuum of around two and a half years which began with the end of former President Michel Suleiman's six-year tenure in May 2014. Endit