Head of Iran security body heads to Iraq, Lebanon

THE head of Iran’s top security body, Ali Larijani, was expected to visit Iraq yesterday before heading to Lebanon, where the government has approved a plan to disarm Tehran's ally Hezbollah, state media said.

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“Ali Larijani departs today (Monday) for Iraq and then Lebanon on a three-day visit, his first foreign trip since taking office last week,” state television reported

Larijani will sign a bilateral security agreement in Iraq before heading to Lebanon, where he will meet senior Lebanese officials and figures.

His trip to Lebanon comes after Tehran expressed strong opposition to a Lebanese government plan to disarm Tehran's ally Hezbollah, a stance condemned by Beirut as a “flagrant and unacceptable interference”.