Ambassador Ghadanfar Rokon Abadi on Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadi Nejad’s visit to Lebanon, Bilateral Relations

Al Intiqad online paper conducted an exclusive interview with the ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Lebanon Ghadanfar Rokon Abadi, tackling the different dimensions of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's visit to Lebanon and the bilateral relations.

* On the Interpretation and Meaning of Nejad's visit to Lebanon

Iranian Ambassador Ghadanfar Rokon Abadi assured in the interview that the visit of Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Lebanon comes in the framework of accepting an official invitation from his Lebanese counterpart Michel Suleiman. 

Abadi said "this visit comes in return for President Suleiman's visit to the Iranian Republic that took place 18 months ago", stressing that "Nejad's visit will assure the importance of Lebanese National Unity on the internal level and supporting the resistance".

He further hoped that the visit would be fruitful especially on the economic and commercial levels.

Abadi saw that President Nejad's visit comes in light of the regional developments taking place.

He emphasized "Iran is always supportive to people of a certain right despite sectarian and religious differences", describing the Lebanese and Palestinian causes as of the most just causes in the world, and further expressing satisfaction over the special bilateral relations the two countries enjoy.

Abadi, who referred to the excellent political relations between the two countries, explained that the economic and commercial relations are not as desired, adding "We have entered a new phase, and both sides are trying to develop these relations. We started preparing several agreements in this context."

*Agreements, Aids to be signed During the Visit

In this context, Abadi addressed Energy and Water minister Jebran Bassil's recent visit to Tehran, pointing out that Bassil observed the tremendous capabilities of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the domains of water, energy, and oil.

Iranian ambassador stated that following Basil's visit to Iran, Iranian energy Minister arrived to Lebanon where the assistants of the Lebanese and Iranian Ministers signed an initial agreement.
He underlined that Lebanon -after this agreement- will witness noticeable development and enhancement in the electricity issue, which will be soon eliminated.

Abadi revealed that Nejad's awaited visit to Lebanon will witness the signing of several agreements and memorandums in order to start serious work between the Lebanon and Iran.

As for equipping the army, Abadi said this issue is raised among the officials of both countries, hoping they reach a result that would be in Lebanon's interest.

On bilateral relations between the two countries, Abadi said Iran is satisfied with the relationship which is excellent on the political level and is witnessing ongoing progress. "Meetings with all the Lebanese officials were very friendly, I never felt I am in a strange country, I rather feel like I am home."

*Iranian Relations with Lebanese Political Factions, Stance on International Tribunal

Abadi added that "Foreign Iranian policies enjoy "openness" that is absent in the policy of any other country, as Iran's protection includes all but "Israel" and its followers who carry out Zionist policies.

" The Iranian republic will stand in the face of "Israel" as it is an entity based on theft and occupation, and the natural response is to confront it, its followers, and allies.

In addition, he assured Iran's incessant support of just causes regardless of sectarian or religious differences, asserting that Iran stands by Lebanon, its people, army, and resistance, the secret to Lebanon's... all Lebanon's victory.

Abadi called on all sides to focus on development and scientific fields in Lebanon rather than political issues, guaranteeing that the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to offer aid of any kind and in any field. 

He revealed that the Iranian embassy will organize an exhibition to demonstrate only some of Iran's many capabilities in "nanotechnology", energy and industry. Moreover, the embassy will hold a scientific conference in participation of Lebanese and Iranian industrialists.

Abadi considered also that Nejad's visit to Lebanon has a political dimension in addition to the economic, cultural, and industrial dimensions, elucidating "The message behind this visit is to emphasize national unity on the internal (Lebanese) arena, and to tell the Lebanese that if you unite all together, the enemy then cannot even dare to launch any war against you."

As for Iran's stance from the International Tribunal for Lebanon, Abadi assured that the Iranian stance is clear through what President Nejad said during his stay in New York, describing the tribunal as "an internal issue".

Concerning the relation with progressive Socialist Party Leader MP Walid Jumblatt, Abadi said that "the relation with Mr. Walid Jumblatt old, and so we visited him during this stage and assured the importance of friendly relations between us."

*Iranian Stance on Zionist Description of Iranian Visit as Provocative

In response to the Zionist entity's description to Iranian President Nejad's visit to Lebanon as provocative, Abadi reminded that this (Zionist) entity is the one which commits inhumane crimes in Lebanon, Palestine, and other countries worldwide, considering these actions as the provocative. At the same time, he noted that several countries suffered from these crimes and assured the necessity of confronting the Zionist entity, and that all should join in alliance together to prevent any "Israeli" aggression.

*Implications of Nejad's Visit to Bint Jbeil

On whether Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will be visiting Bint Jbeil Southern city, Abadi said that Bint Jbeil is the symbol of defeating the Zionist army in the 2006 Divine Victory, especially that the enemy tried quite a few times to occupy this city after its flee in 2000, but dramatically failed. He hoped that President Ahmadinejad would be able to visit the city and its people, since his schedule is very tight. Abadi considered a visit to Bint Jbeil would be of significance, adding that the Zionist entity sees nothing but its failure and feebleness, as "Israel" recruited all its capabilities and techniques in addition to cooperating with the US but were worthless and helpless before a group of young faithful men committed to sacrifice and martyrdom.

*Hizbullah SG Sayyed Nasrallah said that Iranian President can throw more than a stone, what will President Ahmadinejad throw at the Zionist Entity?

Commenting on news that President Ahmadinejad will throw a stone at the Zionist entity over the Fatima gate (in South Lebanon), Iranian ambassador to Lebanon sais such an act performed by all visitors over the Fatima gate is nothing but reassurance of the aggressive policies of this (Zionist) entity. He highlighted this "stone" symbolizes rejection of the Zionist atrocities and inhumane actions. 

Abadi pointed out that President Ahmadinejad slammed these Zionist actions during his presence I in the United States, during a lecture in one of the American Universities before its students and professors.

Abadi emphasized that since President Ahmadinejad will be visiting Lebanon, the country that shares borders with occupied Palestine, it is natural that he will assure and stress the importance of unity among the Lebanese people, as well as the importance of communication and accord among them in order to confront the Zionist entity together. Moreover, Abadi said that it also assures there is one enemy in this world, the Zionist entity and its "Israeli" policies that rule the American administration.