Visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi highlighted the important role played by Hezbollah in defending Lebanon against Israel, an official statement said Friday.

Kharazi made the remarks after he met here with Hezbollah Secretary General Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah Thursday night.

Kharazi said Hezbollah gained its prominent stature among Lebanese society and people thanks to its efforts in defending Lebanon against Israel.

Hezbollah, a popular Lebanese armed group backed by both Syria and Iran, helped force Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon in May 2000.

On the upcoming parliamentary elections, Kharazi expressed hope that the Lebanese people will make efforts to keep national unity and boycott foreign interference in its internal affairs.

Lebanese parliamentary elections will be held from May 29 to mid-June in four stages. Hezbollah holds a relatively strong presence in parliament.

Kharazi arrived here Thursday morning for a two-day official visit to Lebanon, where he held talks with Lebanese President Emile Lahoud, National Assembly President Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Nagib Mikati and Foreign Minister Mahmoud Hammoud.

Kharazi also paid a visit to the family of late Rafik Hariri, the former Lebanese prime minister who was assassinated in a massive bombing attack on Feb. 14 in central Beirut.

Kharazi expressed appreciation for Hariri's contribution to the post-war Lebanon's revival.

Hariri's assassination triggered a mass protest in Lebanon to demand a Syrian withdrawal from the country. Under mounting international pressure, Syria completed a full withdrawal at the end of April in line with a UN resolution.

Hezbollah, a Shiite group, has traditional strong ties with the Shiite-dominated Iran. The UN resolution, which demands a Syrian pullout, also calls on Hezbollah to disarm.

Source: Xinhua