Visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki on Thursday accused the United States and Israel of being responsible for the tension in Lebanon, which was aimed at preventing political unity among the Lebanese people.

Mottaki made the remarks during a meeting with his Syrian counterpart Walid al-Muallem, a source at the Iranian embassy here told reporters.

According to the source, Mottaki also held that the current military tension in Lebanon is a continuation of ongoing political tension in that country.

The two foreign ministers also discussed the Iraqi issue.

Mottaki said the neighboring states should collectively help restore security in the war-shattered country, where the existing problems are "fundamental."

Muallem, for his part, stressed the need to expand ties with Iraq to reinforce security in the country.

Mottaki arrived here earlier in the day on a visit to Syria at the invitation of Muallem to discuss expansion of bilateral ties and regional developments, said the source.

The timing of the visit was seen as crucial since a UN resolution on former Lebanese premier Rafik Hariri's killing was just approved in the previous day.

The UN Security Council on Wednesday passed a resolution on setting up an international tribunal to try suspects in the 2005 assassination of Hariri.

Syria, shortly after the issuance of the UN resolution, reaffirmed its firm opposition to the international tribunal and warned that the step might aggravate turbulent conditions in Lebanon.

Damascus has denied any role in the killing although a UN probe has implicated senior Syrian and Lebanese officials were involved.

Source: Xinhua