Under the patronage of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, the Amal Movement held a ceremony honoring the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mojtaba Amani, in appreciation of his efforts in Lebanon. The ceremony was attended by the representative of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Khalil Hamdan, the Vice President of the Supreme Shiite Islamic Council, Ali Al-Khatib, and the representative of the Supreme Authority in Iraq, Mr. Hamid Al-Khafaf, in addition to the Lebanese Ambassador to Iran Ahmed Suwaidan, the Iranian Deputy Ambassador Tawfiq Samadi, a number of representatives, political, religious and cultural figures, a leading delegation from Hezbollah, and representatives of local and international media.
The ceremony began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an in the voice of reciter Luqman Ayyash, then the Lebanese national anthem, the Iranian anthem, and the Amal Movement anthem were played. After an introduction speech delivered by Mohamed Grady, Khalil Hamdan spoke, representing President Nabih Berri, conveying his greetings and the greetings of the leadership of the Amal Movement to Ambassador Amani, and to the Iranian leadership and the Iranian people, on the occasion of the anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran.
Hamdan pointed to the depth of the historical relationship between Lebanon and Iran, reviewing important milestones since the presence and role of Imam Sayyed Musa al-Sadr, passing through Dr. Mustafa Shamran, all the way to the march of the Amal Movement and President Nabih Berri, stressing that this relationship is not fleeting or urgent. He praised Iran’s “solid and resolute” stance in facing challenges, and the choice to support the oppressed instead of sectarian and sectarian incitement.
Hamdan addressed Ambassador Amani, saying that he shared Lebanon’s “sorrows before its joys,” and suffered from his wounds until he was targeted, describing him as a “wounded pager,” pointing to his return to his work in Lebanon despite the injury, and stressing that this reflects his affiliation to the Iranian revolution and a family that provided martyrs. He concluded by emphasizing that his farewell was “See you later,” wishing him success in his new duties.
Hamdan touched on the recent Israeli attacks, reviewing the deaths and injuries in southern towns, stressing that the crimes did not exclude childhood, and recalling the words of Imam Sayyid Musa al-Sadr about the choice of martyrdom or becoming a victim.
For his part, Iranian Ambassador Mojtaba Amani thanked President Nabih Berri and the leadership of the Amal Movement for the ceremony, considering that the relationship between Lebanon and Iran goes back to the beginnings of the Islamic Revolution. He pointed out that over the course of 47 years, Iran has faced multiple plots, including assassinations and coup attempts, but they failed in the face of the steadfastness of the Iranian people.
Amani stressed that confronting challenges can be through war, negotiations, or steadfastness, and with the same will with which the Lebanese people confront aggression, pointing to his positive experience in Lebanon despite his injury and the martyrdom of a number of leaders, stressing that confronting Israel is “a must” and that communication will remain in place.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Khalil Hamdan presented a shield of appreciation to the Iranian ambassador bearing the title “Partner of Wounds and Resistance.”
In the same context, Iranian Ambassador Mojtaba Amani wrote in a post on his account on the “X” platform, expressing his thanks and gratitude to President Nabih Berri and to the brothers in the “Amal” movement for the honor, and for what he described as the “overflowing love” with which they showered him, stressing that Lebanon and its people “will remain in his heart forever.”
