Roknabadi Says Iran Continues to Back Hizbullah, Salam Stresses 'National Interest' Basis for Cabinet Formation

Iran's Ambassador to Lebanon Ghazanfar Roknabadi on Wednesday commented on Hizbullah's involvement in the fighting in Syria and the fear of a conflict spillover into Lebanon, stressing that his country will continue to support the resistance.

"We back all causes of justice in the world and we consider the resistance against Israeli occupation in Lebanon and Palestine one of the most important causes of justice in the world,” Roknabadi explained after meeting with Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam at the latter's residence in Beirut's al-Msaytbeh neighborhood.

He elaborated: “As such, supporting the resistance and protecting its components and potential are essential to us.”

"We have no other option but to support the resistance.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights announced on Thursday that 104 Hizbullah members had been killed in Syria since last autumn.

Hizbullah combatants have become increasingly involved in Syria's conflict, fighting alongside President Assad's forces.

Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah said before that his party's involvement in Syria's war aimed at defending 13 Syrian villages along the border where Lebanese Shiites live, and the Sayyeda Zeinab shrine, revered by Shiites around the world.

But on Saturday, however, the Hizbullah leader pointed out that Syria is “the backbone of the resistance, assuring that he will not let this bone break.”

The Iranian diplomat added that officials in Iran emphasize on the “importance of maintaining stability, restoring security and strengthening national unity in Lebanon.”

"Iran is ready to help in this matter and we consider stability and national unity to be the priorities in Lebanon.”

Salam also met with Head of Journalists Syndicate Mohammed al-Baalbaki who stressed after the talks that the PM-designate's basis for forming a new cabinet is “national interest.”

"Salam assured us that he will adopt all solutions and means that can get the country out of this critical situation,” Baalbaki revealed after the talks.

He noted: “The national interest will be standard adopted by Salam in forming the cabinet.”