TEHRAN (IRNA) -- Libyan Ambassador to Tehran Ali Mahmoud Mariah met on Tuesday with Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki and discussed avenues for increasing bilateral ties.

Referring to the age-old friendship between the two countries, Mottaki said mutual efforts have opened a new chapter in bilateral ties.

He said holding joint commission meetings in Tehran can help boost the current level of ties.

The Iranian official described bilateral cooperation in oil exploration and various industries as the "common working ground" for fruitful cooperation at the international level.

Mottaki also voiced concerns of the Iranian and Lebanese nations over the fate of Imam Musa Sadr.

"Iran does not need nuclear weapons. We have maintained the Islamic Revolution without nuclear weapons for 27 years," he said, and added that Iranian officials are currently examining the package of proposals offered by the West to remove international concerns over its nuclear activities as well as ways to strengthen the nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT).

The Libyan ambassador, who is on the last day of his mission in Tehran, hailed the cooperation extended to him by Iranian officials during his tenure and called for further expansion of mutual cooperation.

"Iran is my second homeland," he said with nostalgia, and added that Libya backs Iran's right to access nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

He lauded the resistance of Iran against foreign pressure and hailed Iranian officials for their unwavering support for the oppressed Palestinian people.