Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati discussed Saturday with Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Ghazanfar Roknabadi over Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's recent visit to the disputed island of Abu Musa.

According to a statement released by Mikati's media office, the PM told Roknabadi that Ahmadinejad's comments during that visit " inflame the ongoing conflict in the region, at a time when we require awareness to strengthen the calm and security that reflect positively on all countries of the region and contribute to their development."

Mikati also expressed surprise at Ahmadinejad's comments about the predominance of Iranian civilization and culture throughout the ages, saying that "Arab civilization has long spread its culture in the countries of the region."

Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) both claimed territorial sovereignty over three Islands of the Greater and Lesser Tunbs and Abu Musa in the Gulf, and have been at odds over them for decades.

On Wednesday, Ahmadinejad visited Iran-controlled Abu Musa island, a move that immediately sparked criticism from Arab countries and the recall of UAE's ambassador to Iran.

Mikati and Roknabadi also discussed bilateral cooperation in various areas, including the upcoming meeting of Iran-Lebanon economic committee, the statement said.