BEIRUT -- Visiting Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Mohammad Sadr and Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri in a meeting here Tuesday evening discussed ways to expand mutual ties as well as latest developments in the Middle East, particularly U.S. anticipated campaign against Iraq, and developments in Afghanistan.

Hariri said U.S. threats to unseat the Iraqi President Iraqi President Saddam Hussein are "very serious", stressing that the return of UN arms inspectors to Baghdad would leave no pretext for Washington to launch a military campaign against Baghdad.

He further stressed the need that Muslim nations reinforce solidarity in face of what he described as "the sensitive situation" in the Middle East region, IRNA reported.

Sadr, for his part, echoed Iran's opposition to the planned attack by the United States on Iraq, stressing that the Islamic Republic has repeatedly voiced concern that any military attack on Iraq would not only be detrimental to U.S. interests but also to those of the region and the world.

The Iranian deputy foreign minister, heading a political delegation, arrived in Beirut Monday morning for a three-day official visit for talks on issues of mutual interest.