BEIRUT -- The Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Shia'at Council in Lebanon, Sheikh Abdul Amir Qablan, here on Tuesday hailed the Islamic Republic of Iran's support for Lebanon, calling it an "important factor" in Lebanon's victory against the Zionist regime, IRNA reported. In a meeting with Iranian Ambassador to Beirut Mohammad-Ali Sobhani, Qablan said, "The liberation of Southern Lebanon was a striking victory against the occupier Israeli regime."

He pointed to the Lebanese groups' insistence on regaining their rights as well as the Iranian and Syrian governments' support as the main factors behind Lebanon's success in ousting the Zionist occupiers. The official said, "Unity and solidarity would be the best response to the different plots of the Israelis." During the meeting, Sobhani expressed satisfaction over the expansion of mutual relations and said, "Iran will continue its support for the Lebanese resistance until its achieves full victory."