TEHRAN Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri is to arrive in Tehran Monday to convey a congratulatory message of the Lebanese government on reelection of the President Mohammad Khatami, the Foreign Ministry said Sunday.

"Heading a delegation, Rafiq Hariri is to arrive in Tehran Monday to hand over the felicitation message of the Lebanese government to President Khatami on his reelection for a second term in office," Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hamid Reza Assefi told IRNA.

President Khatami swept to office on a majority of around 77 percent of the votes in the June 8 presidential polls.

"Given the friendly relations between the two countries, the visit will also cover discussing the latest developments in Southern Lebanon, the Palestinian Intifada (uprising), consolidation of Iran-Syria-Lebanon solidarity as well as the latest developments in the Middle East region," Assefi said.

Iran has always highlighted the Lebanese Hizbollah's instrumental role in driving Israeli troops from Southern Lebanon after a 22 years of occupation.

Israel pulled its troops out of Southern Lebanon on May 24 last year after a 22-year occupation in the face of opposition from Syrian-backed guerrillas, spearheaded by the Lebanese Hizbollah.

Iran does not recognize the state of Israel and has wholeheartedly supported the latest Intifada.