Azerbaijan, Baku, August 26 /Trend, U.Sadikhova/
Any military support to be provided to the Lebanese army by other states, including Iran, particularly will be directed to protect borders from attack by Israel in the future, said an official representative of the Lebanese Army.
"The most important task of the Lebanese army is to protect its territory and borders from the Israeli attacks," head of coordination department of the Lebanese army, who did not want to divulge his name, told Trend by telephone.
Lebanese President Michel Suleiman oficially asked Iran to help in equipping and modernization of the Lebanese army, given the recent clashes on the Lebanese-Israeli border. President Suleiman has asked Iranian officials to consider the sale of advanced military equipment to the Lebanese Army, Iranian IRNA state news agency reported.
According to the representative of the army, the request is aimed at improving the defense capability of the Lebanese army in case of breach of peace on the border with Israel, or the new military attacks on Lebanese territory.
The representative of the army said that the supply of arms by other countries to Beirut is carried out through the signing of bilateral agreements. He added that the Lebanese army is ready to accept military assistance from any friendly countries, including Iran, to protect the sovereignty of its territories.
The relations between the countries strained for some time because of Tehran's support for the Lebanese opposition party Hezbollah, which has the right to arms.
The question of deliveries of Iranian weapons to Lebanon became urgent after the United States froze military aid to Beirut in amount of $100 million after armed clashes on the Lebanese-Israeli border, controlled by the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers.
The clashes killed three Lebanese soldiers and an officer of the Israeli army.
Lebanese President said that the modernization of the Lebanese army should take into account the strategic needs of Beirut and the limited budget of the country.
Official Tehran has already responded to the request of Lebanon. Iran's Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said that Tehran was ready to deliver arms to the Lebanese army, adding that Iran would implement any request on this issue.
The representative of the Lebanese army said that at this stage the decision of the Lebanese government is expected.
In addition to improving self-defense, the modernization of the Lebanese army will be used to stabilize the internal situation in Lebanon, said the head of the department.
"Another advantage is that the Lebanese army will be able to support domestic security force to ensure stability in the country, if necessary," he said.
Last Wednesday, the most violent in the last two years fighting between Hezbollah members and supporters of the movement of Al-Ahbash took place in Beirut, killing four people.