Ex-Lebanese president calls for expansion of Tehran-Beirut ties

Former Lebanese President Amin Gemayel underlined the need for the enhancement of mutual cooperation between Iran and Lebanon. Gemayel, who is also leader of Lebanon's Kataeb Party, made the remarks in a congratulatory message to Iran's President-elect Hassan Rouhani on his victory in the country's presidential election on June 14. "I hope that your tenure would be a period of transparent cooperation and friendship between Iranian and Lebanese governments and nations …," the Lebanese politician said. Gemayel pointed to Rouhani's victory in Iran's presidential election, and said, "I also hope the Iranian nation as a friend of the Lebanese nation will usher in a new era in view of their capabilities …" Rouhani won Iran's presidential election on Friday with over 50% of the votes cast in his favor. Iran's Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar announced Saturday evening that from a total number of 36,704,156 ballots cast in Iran's 11th presidential election on Friday June 14, Rouhani won 18,613,329 votes while his main rival Mohammad Qalibaf could secure only 6,077,292 votes. Iran and Lebanon enjoy cordial relations and have further expanded these ties in recent years. The two sides have exchanged several delegations of high-ranking officials in the last three years.