lennart
12-05-03, 14:19
Khatami hailed in Lebanon in 1st visit of Iran leader since '79
By Haaretz Service and AP
Tens of thousands of Shiite Muslims whistled, cheered and waved flags as Iranian President Mohammad Khatami drove through the streets of Beirut on Monday, making the first visit by an Iranian president to Lebanon since the Islamic revolution overthrew the monarchy in 1979.
Khatami was met at Beirut airport by Lebanese President Emile Lahoud, Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and Cabinet ministers, and Sheik Naim Kassem, the deputy leader of Hezbollah - the leading Shiite militant group in Lebanon.
Iran, a Shiite-majority country, is the main financial backer of Hezbollah, which periodically attacks Israel across the south Lebanese border and is listed as a terrorist group by the United States.
Hezbollah's inclusion in the red-carpet reception for Khatami was a departure from protocol that signalled the group's acceptance in mainstream politics. As Khatami was driven to the city center, tens of thousands of Shiites lined the highway, applauding and waving the yellow flags of Hezbollah, the green flags of the rival Shiite group Amal, as well as Iranian and Lebanese flags.
Women threw rose petals as the president's convoy passed through the Shiite-dominated suburbs of south Beirut. Other well-wishers held up pictures of Khatami.
At one point, the black-turbaned Khatami stopped his limousine and walked among the people for a few minutes, smiling broadly and waving to the crowd. He was accompanied by the Lebanese president and bodyguards.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/292420.html
By Haaretz Service and AP
Tens of thousands of Shiite Muslims whistled, cheered and waved flags as Iranian President Mohammad Khatami drove through the streets of Beirut on Monday, making the first visit by an Iranian president to Lebanon since the Islamic revolution overthrew the monarchy in 1979.
Khatami was met at Beirut airport by Lebanese President Emile Lahoud, Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and Cabinet ministers, and Sheik Naim Kassem, the deputy leader of Hezbollah - the leading Shiite militant group in Lebanon.
Iran, a Shiite-majority country, is the main financial backer of Hezbollah, which periodically attacks Israel across the south Lebanese border and is listed as a terrorist group by the United States.
Hezbollah's inclusion in the red-carpet reception for Khatami was a departure from protocol that signalled the group's acceptance in mainstream politics. As Khatami was driven to the city center, tens of thousands of Shiites lined the highway, applauding and waving the yellow flags of Hezbollah, the green flags of the rival Shiite group Amal, as well as Iranian and Lebanese flags.
Women threw rose petals as the president's convoy passed through the Shiite-dominated suburbs of south Beirut. Other well-wishers held up pictures of Khatami.
At one point, the black-turbaned Khatami stopped his limousine and walked among the people for a few minutes, smiling broadly and waving to the crowd. He was accompanied by the Lebanese president and bodyguards.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/292420.html