Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has toured villages near Lebanon's tense southern border with Israel.
Thousands of people gathered in a stadium where he gave a speech, waving Iranian flags and cheering.
Mr Ahmadinejad praised what he called the Lebanese resistance against Israel and declared that 'Zionists are mortal', according to a live Iranian state television broadcast of his speech in southern Lebanon.
‘The world should know the Zionists are mortal ... today the Lebanese nation is alive and is a role model for the regional nations.'
Mr Ahmadinejad's speech in Bint Jbeil, a bastion of Iran's ally Hezbollah which witnessed fierce battles between the Shi'ite group and Israel during their 34-day war in 2006, is highly symbolic.
Bint Jbeil lies just 4km from the border and Israel's Channel 2 Television said echoes of Mr Ahmadinejad's welcome ceremony were audible on the Israeli side minutes before he arrived.
Residents of the Israeli border village of Avivim have said they coukd see the stage that has been set up for a speech by the Iranian leader.
Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor said 'It is a provocative and destabilising visit. It appears his intentions are blatantly hostile and he is coming to play with fire.'
Mr Ahmadinejad arrived in Lebanon yesterday and was greeted by large crowds in Beirut.
