IRNA – Iran’s ambassador to Beirut met Lebanon’s Foreign Minister and discussed with him bilateral and regional issues, including Syria and the US president’s trip to the Middle East.


Iran, due to its role in confronting the Zionist regime of Israel and also in fight against Takfiri terrorism, attributes a special status to Lebanon in its foreign policy, Mohammad Fathali said after his meeting with Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil.

'All arrangements have been made by Iranian embassy for the expatriates to cast their votes in three Lebanese cities, he added referring to the 12th Iran’s presidential election which is underway simultaneously in Iran and 102 other countries.

Voting stations opened in Iran at 8am local time (03:30 GMT) on Friday for the 12th presidential and the fifth city and village council elections in about 63,500 polling stations.

“As Iran relies on popular participation in country's affairs, it would not withdraw from its principles, but welcomes constructive talks with all regional countries, particularly the neighboring ones,” said the Iranian diplomat.

Over 56 million Iranians are eligible to vote in Iran's 12th presidential elections, according to the Election Headquarters of the Interior Ministry.

Some 66.7 percent of respondents to a survey carried out by the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) on May 7-8 said they will participate in Iran’s May 19 presidential elections.

“The huge turnout of Iranians in presidential election would be a crushing response to the US president,” Fathali said referring to Donald Trump’s recent claims in accusing Iran of destabilizing the region.