Iran says it is ready to provide aid to the Lebanese army as well as the Shiite Hezbollah group to help combat “terrorists.”

Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, was quoted by state TV as saying that “supporting the Lebanese nation, army and resistance will still remain on Iran’s agenda.” Hezbollah’s allies refer to it as the “resistance” because of its stated mission of driving Israel out of occupied territory.

“Iran is ready to transfer its experience in order to improve security in Lebanon and the region, and to combat terrorists,” he said during a meeting with Lebanese Defense Minister Samir Moqbel in Tehran on Sunday.

Iran is a main backer of Hezbollah, which is widely seen as being more powerful than the Lebanese army.

(AP)