Lebanon and Iran signed a cooperation agreement on Thursday aimed at boosting tourism ties between the two countries, reported the Daily Star newspaper.
The agreement was signed in Beirut by Lebanon's minister, Karam Karam, and Iranian housing minister, Ali Abdal-Ali Zadeh.
"I hope that more Iranians will be able to visit Lebanon, thanks to this agreement, and that more Lebanese will visit Iran," Ali Zadeh said.
He invited Lebanese to visit Iran, which contains "historical and religious monuments for all religions, especially the Armenian community," said the paper.
Ali Zadeh, who is accompanied by a 31-member delegation from Iran's public and private sectors, is on an official visit to look into ways of boosting economic ties between the two countries, said the Daily Star.
Iran's exports to Lebanon total $28 million annually compared to $1 million of Lebanese exports to Iran.
Ali Zadeh said that Iranian investors were interested in working in Lebanon which they consider "a gate to African and European countries."
On Wednesday, the Iranian official also discussed prospects of the Islamic republic's financial assistance to Lebanon in separate meetings with President Emile Lahoud and Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, said the paper -- Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
