TEHRAN — Lebanese Minister of Industry Hussein Al-Hajj Hassan on Wednesday called for strengthening ties with Iran, especially in medical and scientific fields, IRNA reported.

“After the removal of sanctions (on Iran) it would be to our benefit to expand our relations with Iran,” the Lebanese minister said.

He made the remarks after the meeting he had with Iranian Health Minister Hassan Qazizadeh Hashemi in Beirut on Wednesday.

Soon officials of the two countries will visit more often and sign more memorandums of understanding, he added.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has made some great scientific improvements and now it is considered as an advanced country in science,” he remarked.

During the same meeting, Iran’s Food and Drug Administration director, Rasoul Dinarvand, said that there have been some obstacles for exporting drugs to Lebanon which Iran hopes to surmount after the health minister’s trip to Lebanon.

Qazizadeh Hashemi, at the head of a delegation comprising of health officials, representatives of pharmaceutical companies and investors, travelled to Lebanon on Wednesday. He also visited Lebanese Health Minister Wael Abu Faour.

According to reports, he was set to leave Beirut for Damascus.

MQ/MG