NNA - House Speaker, Nabih Berri, met this evening at Ain al-Tineh Palace with Iran's Shura Council Speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, and the accompanying delegation, in the presence of Iranian Ambassador Mojtaba Amani. Talks during the meeting touched on developments in Lebanon and the region, bilateral relations between Lebanon and Iran, and cooperation between the parliaments of both countries.

Following the meeting, Qalibaf said: "Today, we visited the Lebanese Republic at the head of a high-level delegation and representatives of all Iranian authorities, various Iranian governmental and non-governmental bodies and organizations, cultural bodies, and several children of Iranian martyrs to participate in the funeral ceremony of His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Sayyed Hashem Safieddine."

He added that he also met with Lebanese officials, referring to his visit to Baabda Palace this morning where he met with the President of the Republic, his meeting with Speaker Berri at Ain al-Tineh, and his scheduled meeting with Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam later this evening.

"What we witnessed today in the funeral ceremony and what the mourners expressed is a turning point for the entire Lebanese people, in which they expressed the extent of their love and devotion for this great martyr who is considered a national figure not only for Lebanon but for the Islamic nation, as there was participation by hundreds of thousands in this great event, and there are hundreds of thousands who were not able to attend this scene, but the hearts of these people and the hearts of the Islamic nation were beating with affection for these two great martyrs,” Qalibaf said.

He hoped that his visit would lead to more cooperative relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Lebanon, especially as the new government begins its work, adding, "For Lebanon to be prosperous and stable, it is essential that there be a consensus among the various Lebanese copmponents, including the government, the people and the resistance. In this regard, I want to emphasize this important point, that we will stand by any decision issued unanimously by the Lebanese government, people, and resistance.”

=========R.Sh.