Iran’s Defence Minister Ahmad Vahidi told Lebanese Prime Minister Saadi Al Hariri, currently on a three-day official visit in Tehran, that his country is prepared to help the Lebanese army, the state television’s website reported.

"We have stated on several occasions, and we say it again today, that we stand alongside the Lebanese army and are prepared to cooperate" with it, Vahidi said during a meeting with the visiting premier, the report said.

Vahidi offered Hariri an Iranian-made sub-machine gun, ‘Tondar’ (Thunder), in a symbolic move. Iranian television showed pictures of the gilded weapon which was placed in a wooden box.

In a statement, Hariri expressed optimism about his visit which he hoped would enhance cooperation between Iran and Lebanon in the field of defence.

According to the report, Hariri made the statement after visiting an exhibition dedicated to Iran’s achievement in the defence industry.

"The stability, security and unity of Lebanon play a very important role in resolving regional and internal issues. Therefore, I wanted to come to Iran and see your defence achievements," Hariri was quoted as saying.

Vahidi also criticised the UN-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon investigating the 2005 assassination of Hariri's father, former premier Rafik Hariri, while condemning his killers as "enemies of Lebanon."

"Today, some from outside Lebanon seek to take the security of Lebanon hostage, in the form of the tribunal," Vahidi said.

The tribunal is expected to implicate high-ranking Hezbollah officials in the murder, but the party has warned against this, prompting fears of sectarian conflict between Hariri's Sunni supporters and the Shia Hezbollah. Iran is a staunch backer of Hezbollah.

Ahead of the visit, a Lebanese ministerial source told AFP that Hariri hoped Iran would help to reconcile the pro-Western camp and rivals Hezbollah. Hariri is meeting Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Sunday evening and the two countries are also expected to focus on mutual cooperation, following up on 17 agreements signed during Ahmadinejad's October visit to Lebanon.