Beirut, October 13: Thousands of cheering Lebanese welcomed Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Lebanon on Wednesday, throwing rose petals and sweets at his motorcade during a visit that underscores the growing power of Tehran and its Lebanese ally, Hezbollah.
Ahmadinejad is making his first state visit to Lebanon at a time when tensions have mounted between the Iranian-backed Hezbollah and Western-backed parties in the government. The growing crisis has raised fears over the fate of the unity government that includes both sides and has managed to keep a tenuous calm.
The visit by the leader of Iran — Hezbollah’s most powerful ally — throws Lebanon’s divisions into sharp relief. Much of the welcome was organised by the Hezbollah, and the trip includes a provocative excursion to the border with arch enemy Israel on Thursday.
Trailed by heavily armed security in bulletproof vests, Ahmadinejad smiled and waved to the crowds from the sunroof of his black SUV as he headed to the presidential palace to meet President Michel Suleiman.
–Agencies