Hezbollah leader meets with Iran FM, calls Tehran ‘loyal ally’

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah thanked Iran late Thursday for standing by the Lebanese paramilitary group.

“The Islamic Republic proved that it is the sincere and loyal ally who doesn’t abandon its friends despite the hard conditions,” said Nasrallah, the Hezbollah-affiliated Al Manar TV reported Friday.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian is in Lebanon for an official visit. On Thursday, he met Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati as well as President Michael Aoun and parliament speaker Nabih Berri.

Amir-Abdollahian also had a meeting with Nasrallah late Thursday night and stressed Iran’s “unwavering support to Lebanon on all fields,” according to Al Manar TV.

Amir-Abdollahian’s visit came at an important time for Hezbollah and Lebanon. Iran delivered fuel to Lebanon via Hezbollah last month. Lebanon is suffering from debilitating fuel shortages at present, not to mention the wider economic crisis. During his visit, the diplomat pledged to send more fuel to the country. Hezbollah also clashed with Israel in August, which prompted mediation from the United Nations this week.