Iran takes credit for Hizbullah victory in Lebanon

NICOSIA [MENL] -- Iran hopes that Arab neighbors of Israel will follow the model of the Hizbullah resistance.

Iranian officials have taken credit for the Israeli pullout, saying Teheran's massive support of Hizbullah led to the success of its guerrilla campaign against Israel in southern Lebanon. The officials pointed to the Islamic republic's financing and training of the Lebanese Shi'ite militia.

Officials said Iran will continue to help Hizbullah and encourage it to attack Israel.

On Wednesday, Iranian President Mohammed Khatami called Lebanese leaders and congratulated them for forcing Israel to withdraw from Lebanon. Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi sent congratulations to Lebanese Prime Minister Salim Hoss for what the Iranian termed was the success by the Lebanese in expelling Israeli troops.

A Foreign Ministry statement in Teheran said Kharazi's message asserted that the Hizbullah campaign "could set a precedent for other nations to oust the [Israeli] occupiers of their homeland."

"Victory will be complete only when occupiers have left the entirety of Lebanon," Kharazi said.

In Cairo, the 22-member Arab League echoed Kharazi. "We congratulate Lebanon and the Lebanese people for this historic achievement by forcing out occupation forces," Arab League assistant secretary-general Said Kamel said.

The Iranian congratulations comes as Western leaders are trying to persuade Lebanon and Syria to restore order in southern Lebanon. French President Jacques Chirac telephoned Syrian President Hafez Assad and urged him to approve the reconvening of a committee to ensure the safety of civilians along the Israeli-Lebanese border.

The Syrian news agency said Assad expressed support for Lebanon and its territorial demands from Israel.