Khatami says Iran works for free, democratic Lebanon

Visiting Iranian President Mohammad Khatami declared Tuesday in Paris that Iran works for a "free, democratic, independent" Lebanon.

"Lebanon is important for Iran as for France. We all pay attention to Lebanon's stability and security. We have insisted on Lebanese internal union and the necessity to settle the problem by Lebanese people themselves," Khatami told journalists after talking with French President Jacques Chirac at the French presidential Elysee palace.

Khatami says: "Iran and France agreed to deploy all their efforts in order to preserve peace and stability in Lebanon...What we are seeking for, it's a free, democratic and independent Lebanon."

Chirac's spokesman Jerome Bonnafont said France noted Syria's announcement of troop withdrawal from Lebanon and hoped for complete application of UN 1559 resolution and Lebanon's restauration in its full sovereignty and democratic tradition.