BEIRUT -- Lebanese President Emile Lahoud here on Saturday stressed that his people will never forget Iran's support for his country during its period of occupation by the Zionist army.

In an interview with IRNA correspondent here, he said the Lebanese people greatly value the Iranian President Mohammad Khatami's imminent visit to Beirut.

Khatami is to start a three-day official visit to Lebanon on Monday, May 12, to discuss further expansion of bilateral ties alongside several issues of mutual interest with his Lebanese counterpart and senior officials of that country.

Lahoud, moreover, expressed his appreciation and gratitude to Iran for its crucial support for the Lebanese national resistance movement in regional and international arenas. He praised the Islamic Republic's support for UN resolutions that called for the liberation of Lebanese territories occupied by the Zionists.

Iran's support for the Lebanese resistance against the Zionist occupation resulted in victory for the Lebanese forces over the Israeli forces, he said, adding that the upcoming visit to Lebanon of the Iranian president is to shore up support for Lebanon as the center for resistance and struggle against aggression.

Tehran and Beirut share identical views regarding most regional and international issues, Lahoud said, reiterating that Khatami's visit will be a turning point in Tehran-Beirut friendly relations.

Voicing his country's readiness to further promote bilateral cooperation with the Islamic Republic, he called for continued Iranian support for the legitimate rights of the Lebanese nation.

On bilateral economic ties, he said the two countries have gone a long way in enhancing economic cooperation and that more cooperative agreements have been signed by the two sides to further such cooperation.

Alluding to the rich potential for cooperation in many areas in his country, the Lebanese president announced Beirut's readiness to boost ties with Tehran in those areas.