Beirut - Lebanon's Western-backed Prime Minister Fouad
Seniora has agreed with Iranian officials to draw up a framework for
bilateral cooperation between the two nations ahead of a possible
visit by Seniora to Tehran, a governmental source said Monday.
Mohammad Shibani, Iran's ambassador to Lebanon, met with the prime
minister over the weekend and renewed his invitation for Seniora to
visit Tehran, the source, who requsted anonymity, said.
'The renewal of the invitation does not mean the trip is going to
take place anytime soon,' the source said, noting that any decisions
is 'pending a visit by an Iranian delegation to Beirut to draw up the
frame of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.'
The source stressed that Seniora had no objection to visiting
Iran.
Iran is the main backer of the Lebanese Shiite Movement Hezbollah,
which is currently leading the Lebanese opposition against the
Seniora government and his allies, the anti-Syrian March 14 camp.
In May 2008, Hezbollah protested a decision by Seniora's
government to sack a Hezbollah supporter acting as head of security
at Beirut international airport.
The decision prompted Hezbollah and their opposition allies to
close roads. The action later escalated into bloody clashes between
the opposition supporters of the ruling coalition. The fighting
lasted seven days and resulted in 82 deaths more than 200 wounded.
The fighting stopped after Qatar called for an emergency meeting
of all Lebanese rivals in Doha to sign an agreement of
reconciliation.
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