Lebanon's Culture Minister Remon Areiji in a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Ali Jannati in Beirut emphasized his country's enthusiasm for the further development of cultural ties and cooperation with Tehran.
During the meeting on Tuesday, the two ministers explored ways to promote bilateral relations in the areas of culture and art, and exchanged views on Tehran-Beirut cooperation on translation and publication of books, film making and holding joint exhibitions.
The pair also condemned destruction of archeological works and museums in the region by Takfiri terrorist groups, and called for a firm respond to such anti-human crimes.
The Iranian minister invited his Lebanese counterpart to pay a visit to Iran.
Meanwhile, Areiji referred to Iran's cultural role in the region, and underlined that all ethnic groups, either Christians or Muslims, live in peace in Iran and are free to have their own religious rituals.
Hailing Iran's cultural activities in Lebanon, Araiji called for Tehran's further cultural presence in the future.
Also on Tuesday, Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam in a meeting with Jannati underscored the necessity for the further broadening of relations with Tehran in all fields.
Salam described Iran as a big country in the region, and said Iran and Lebanon could focus on enhancing relations thanks to many common points they share.
He said cultural relations are as important as political ones.
Salam also expressed pleasure with the good trend of nuclear talks between Iran and the Group 5+1 (the US, Russia, China, Britain and France plus Germany), and said the nuclear agreement between Tehran and the world powers would bear positive outcomes for the region, specially Lebanon.
Jannati, for his part, said Iran faced no restrictions in expanding ties with Lebanon, and stressed that Iran has always backed unity among different political groups in Lebanon and stability in the country.
