Iranian President Ahmadinejad to visit Lebanon

Iranian President Ahmadinejad to visit Lebanon

2010-10-12 07:11:24 GMT+7 (ICT)

TEHRAN, IRAN (BNO NEWS) -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will travel to southern Lebanon on Wednesday for a two-day visit, the Tehran Times reported on Monday.

The announcement was made by senior advisor Mojtaba Samareh Hashemi on Sunday who added that Ahmadinejad will visit the Gate of Fatemia, near the Israeli city of Metola. Hashemi did not confirm if the president will meet with Hezbollah leader Seyyed Hassam Nasrallah.

The Iranian leader will meet with Lebanon officials in addition to touring areas near the Israeli border. The visit coincides with threats by Hezbollah of new episodes of violence stemming from the UN tribunal investigating the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

Ahmadinejad's scheduled visit has drawn controversy from the international community. The United States said it its concerned due to Iranian ties with Hezbollah and the impact that such organization has in the sovereignty of Lebanon.

On the other hand, a previously unknown group, calling itself the Abdaullah Azzam Brigades, said that "the whole of Lebanon will tremble if Ahmadinejad steps foot in it." The group further added that it would do the impossible to thwart the official visit.

Iran has supported the Shiite-movement Hezbollah, Lebanon's main opposition group, with financial and military aid. It is the main opposition in the parliament of the government led by Saad Hariri, son of the murdered former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

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