THE TELEGRAPH: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president, received a hero's welcome in Lebanon as he arrived in the country for a two-day visit designed to demonstrate Tehran's grip over the region's most perilous state.
Thousands held up flowers and Iranian flags as Mr Ahmedinejad waved through the open roof of an armoured car that carried him through the Shia Muslim strongholds of south Beirut, the Lebanese capital.
Hizbollah, Iran's local ally, mobilised its followers to throw rice and slaughter camels as the motorcade passed by.
It was, however, a welcome that ran just one street deep and normal life – bereft of Iranian flags – continued yards away from the old airport road used by the Iranian leader to reach a summit with his Lebanese counterpart, Michel Sleiman.
Maura Connelly, the US ambassador, expressed misgivings about the impact of the Iranian leader's visit and newspapers reported that America had unveiled a $22 million (£13.8 million) package of military aid to strengthen the Lebanese security forces. Continue reading and comment >>> Damien McElroy in Beirut | Wednesday, October 13, 2010
THE GUARDIAN: Beirut gives Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a warm welcome: Iranian president's Lebanon visit seen as a boost for Hezbollah and described by White House as provocative >>> Hugh Macleod in Beirut and Ian Black, Middle East editor | Wednesday, October 13, 2010
