Iranian President to Visit Lebanon, Iran-backed Hezbollah

    -- Ahmadinejad to visit Lebanese-Israeli border, may throw stones at Israel

    -- Trip includes meeting Hezbollah leader Nasrallah, senior Hezbollah leaders  

    -- Visit causing controversy in Lebanese government

JERUSALEM - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is scheduled to visit Lebanon Oct. 13-14 to meet with senior Hezbollah officials and make a public speech about the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

Ahmadinejad also is set to recognize Lebanon as an official Iranian base in the Middle East and that Hezbollah-controlled southern Lebanon is “Iran's border with Israel.” His comments have prompted Lebanese government officials to express concern about his trip. Iran uses Hezbollah as its proxy to attack Israel and threaten the West.

Iran has provided Hezbollah with weapons, funding, guidance and intelligence, giving more than $200 million to Hezbollah annually, in addition to an estimated $300 million after Israel’s defensive war with Hezbollah in 2006. Iran is expected to help equip the Lebanese Army following his visit to Lebanon.

In November 2009, the Israeli Navy uncovered approximately 500 tons of sophisticated weaponry aboard an Iranian cargo vessel sailing under an Antiguan flag headed for Hezbollah.

Hezbollah no longer merely relies on its well-trained gunmen but has supplemented to its ammunition TV and radio stations along with newspapers. Its latest addition is a museum.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad tried to convince Ahmadinejad to postpone the visit and questioned its purpose. Ahmadinejad reiterated that the border between Israel and Lebanon was strategically important for Iran.

Nevertheless, Ahmadinejad and Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah have a close relationship and meet in Syria when possible.

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