Top Iranian Official in Beirut Next Week to Discuss Latest Developments

A top Iranian official is expected to arrive in Beirut next week for talks with senior Lebanese leaders, As Safir newspaper reported on Friday.

Deputy Iranian Foreign Minister for the Arab and African Affairs Hussein Amir-Abdollahian will hold talks with senior Lebanese officials and brief them on the latest talks between his country and Saudi Arabia.

Iran and Saudi Arabia are on opposite sides of the Syrian conflict, with Tehran backing President Bashar Assad and Riyadh supporting the rebels trying to topple him.

However, a meeting was held last month between Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal with Amir-Abdollahian. The visit was considered to be the first by a high-level official from Shiite Iran to Sunni Saudi Arabia since Hassan Rouhani became the Islamic republic's president in August last year.

Amir-Abdollahian will reportedly call on Lebanese officials to safeguard the local situation and call for dialogue among them to reach common grounds concerning the constitutional deadlines.

He will also offer aid to Lebanon to combat terrorism.

Amir-Abdollahian has held talks with several senior officials during his last visit in July, including his country's long-time ally Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

H.K.

M.T.