New Iran President Hopes for Better Ties with Lebanon

President Michel Suleiman received a message on Thursday from Iran's president-elect Hassan Rowhani thanking the Lebanese head of state for congratulating him on his election, and hoping for better bilateral relations.

The note that was delivered by Iran's Ambassador Ghazanfar Roknabadi was in response to Suleiman's congratulatory message on Rowhani's June election.

The Baabda Palace quoted the president-elect as saying that he hoped for the consolidation of bilateral ties at all levels and in all fields.

Rowhani has also sent messages to Syrian President Bashar Assad and Hizbullah, reaffirming support for the two allies.

The official IRNA news agency on Tuesday cited him as saying close Iranian-Syrian ties will be able to confront "enemies in the region, especially the Zionist regime," or Israel.

Rowhani also told Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in his message that Iran backs the "steadfast nation" of Lebanon and the Palestinians, a reference to Hamas.

He highlighted the group's "endeavors" for the anti-Israeli resistant front -- comprised of Iran, Syria and Lebanon.

The notes reflect Rowhani's intentions to emphasize links to Iran's key regional allies even as he urges for greater outreach to the West.