Lebanon - Iran sign three cooperation agreements

Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri on Thursday met with Iranian Housing Minister Ali Abdul Ali Zada. Talks dealt with a transportation agreement to be signed between the two countries.

On Thursday, however, Lebanon and Iran signed three agreements, covering agricultural cooperation, air transport, avoiding double taxation and a memorandum of understanding between the two countries.

Following the signing ceremony, the Iranian minister stressed his country's support for the Lebanese people and national resistance against the Israeli occupation. He added that the signed agreements constitute a great step toward strengthening relations between the two countries. "The way will be open for further progress," he said.

The Iranian minister called upon Lebanese traders, businessmen and industrialists to cooperate with the Lebanese private sector to carry out joint projects in the interest of the two countries.

For his part, Lebanese Agriculture Minister Shawqi Fakhouri underlined the importance of the agricultural agreement with Iran. He added that Lebanon "will benefit from the Iranian advanced expertise on the technical level," adding that the agreements fall in the course of strengthening economic relations between the two countries.

Lebanese Finance Minister Fuad al-Sanyoura said the agreement on avoiding double-taxation will be reinforced following its ratification by the two countries parliaments. The air transport agreement will be reinforced by the beginning of 1999.