On the occasion of the National Day of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the forty-seventh anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution, the Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, held a reception at the Phenicia Hotel – Beirut, in the presence of a large number of official, political, diplomatic and religious figures.
The celebration was attended by a representative of the President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, a representative of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Minister of Health Rakan Nasser Al-Din, and a representative of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, MP Qabalan Qabalan. Also present were the Minister of Labor, Mohamed Haidar, the representative of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Youssef Raji, the Director of Protocol at the Ministry, Ambassador Rola Nour El-Din, and the representative of the Minister of Interior and Municipalities, Ahmed Al-Hajjar, Brigadier General Musa Kranib.
A group of MPs participated in the ceremony, including: Ghazi Zuaiter, Hassan Fadlallah, Hassan Ezz El-Din, Muhammad Raad, Hussein Al-Haj Hassan, Ali Fayyad, Rami Abu Hamdan, Melhem Hujairi, Yanal Saleh, Ali Al-Miqdad, Haider Nasser, in addition to a representative of Gebran Bassil, Mr. Mansour Fadel, and a representative of Tony Franjieh, Mr. Jean Boutros.
Also present were the Vice President of the Supreme Islamic Shiite Council, Sheikh Ali Al-Khatib, represented by Mufti Sheikh Hassan Abdullah, and Sheikh Akl of the Druze Unitarian sect, Sami Abu Al-Muna, represented by Mr. Naji Saab, in addition to prominent figures in the diplomatic, political, religious, social and media fields.
The ceremony began with a fragrant recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an, followed by the playing of the Lebanese and Iranian national anthems. Then, a documentary film was shown that reviewed the history of the Islamic Republic and its most important achievements.
After that, Ambassador Amani delivered a speech in which he stressed that the Islamic Revolution in Iran was a turning point that changed the course of history and strengthened the values of dignity, independence and freedom, noting that Iran has today become a major player that cannot be ignored in the international arena.
He pointed out that the Islamic Republic has achieved remarkable development over the past decades in the scientific, economic, military and technological fields, despite the sanctions, which he described as “an opportunity to build a resistant economy and achieve self-sufficiency in strategic goods.”
Amani stressed his country’s adherence to its right to possess and use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, considering it “a pillar of national sovereignty and economic progress,” and stressed that sanctions and threats will not prevent Iran from moving forward in this direction.
Regarding regional affairs, the Iranian ambassador warned of the continuing “Israeli threat” to the region, considering that this danger does not threaten Palestine alone, but rather represents an “existential threat to Arab, Islamic and Christian security.”
He stressed that Iran’s support for Lebanon’s strength and resistance is “a defense of Lebanon’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity,” stressing that “the strength of the army and resistance constitute a guarantee for the stability of the region.”
He pointed out that relations between Iran and Lebanon will remain “open to various political and sectarian components,” while continuing to support efforts made “to stop Israeli attacks, end the occupation, free prisoners, and contribute to reconstruction.”
At the conclusion of his speech, Ambassador Amani announced the imminent end of his diplomatic term in Lebanon, expressing his “pride in the experience he had in this country,” stressing that “his relationship with Lebanon and its people will remain intact,” and wishing Lebanon “continued sovereignty, freedom, and stability.”
