Lebanese president calls for political settlement of Syrian crisis

He made the remarks in a meeting with Iranian parliamentary delegation in Beirut.

He expressed hope that efforts to settle Syrian crisis would lead to an end to sufferings of Syrian refugees.

In the meeting, which took place in presidential Palace, General Aoun said that the number of Syrian refugees in Lebanon is around half of the country's population and such situation would have negative impacts on Lebanese economic and security situation.

Iranian parliamentary delegation was led by Chairman of Majlis (parliament) Commission on National Security and Foreign Policy Alaeddin Boroujerdi.

Iran's Ambassador to Beirut Mohammad Fathali was present in the meeting with President Aoun.

General Aoun underlined importance of cooperation on international campaign against terrorism, saying that Lebanese military and security forces achieved victory in confrontation and preventive operations against terrorism.

Boroujerdi conveyed greetings of President Hassan Rouhani and Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani to president Aoun.

Boroujerdi said that the Islamic Republic of Iran was interested in expansion of ties with Lebanon in all fields, especially after consensus of all Lebanese political groups to elect General Aoun, as president of Lebanon.

He explained Iran's stances on regional developments, especially on Syria and efforts to be made for political settlement of the humanitarian crisis in Syria.

Boroujerdi expressed hope that upcoming peace talks in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan, would help settle the Syrian crisis.

The Iranian parliamentary delegation held meetings with different senior officials both in Syria and Lebanon in the past few days.

They are due to meet with Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri as well.
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