Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's emphasis on the resistance and consolidation of unity among the Lebanese has outraged Israel, says Iran's ambassador to Beirut, Press TV reported.
"President Ahmadinejad's visit to Lebanon is aimed at fostering unity among the Lebanese and calling all Lebanese to stand beside each other for resistance and that is why Israel is furious and has threatened Lebanon," Ghazanfar Roknabadi told Lebanon's al-Jadid TV late Sunday.
What we hear these days is that the Lebanese have welcomed the Iranian president and they courageously responded to Israel's objection to his upcoming visit, Roknabadi added.
Tel Aviv has been trying to pressure Beirut into canceling President Ahmadinejad's trip. Last week, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said that Tel Aviv was "extremely worried" about the Iranian chief executive's visit.
Earlier on Tuesday, Leader of Lebanon's Free Patriotic Movement Michel Aoun denounced as "disgraceful and offensive" the US and Israeli objection to the scheduled visit to Beirut by the Iranian president.
"President Ahmadinejad is visiting Lebanon at the invitation of Lebanese President Michel Suleiman and the visit has political and economic dimensions; therefore, a political and economic delegation will accompany him," IRNA quoted Roknabadi as saying.
The Iranian envoy noted that 15 government organizations in Iran and Lebanon are currently examining documents which are to be signed in Lebanon during Ahmadinejad's trip.
According to Roknabadi, the Iranian chief executive will meet with the Lebanese from all walks of life.