Lebanese President Michel Suleiman and six ministers open a two-day visit to Iran on Monday for political and economic talks. A Lebanese government official who spoke on condition of anonymity told Agence France Presse on Sunday that bilateral relations, the situation in the Middle East and the peace process are on the agenda.

The official said, "The national defense strategy is an internal Lebanese issue, however, ... I believe they will discuss this issue." The issue touches on the matter of Hizbullah's re-armament since its 2006 war on Israel's north, despite Tehran's denials that it provides military backing to the Shiite terror organization.