Assad aims to further lift Syria-Iran relations

TEHERAN－Syrian President Bashar al-Assad met with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on a brief visit to Teheran on Sunday, reported Iran's state TV.

During the meeting, Khamenei praised the Syrian government and its citizens' resistance against foreign pressures over the past few years.

He described Assad as a determined leader and wished him success in reconstructing the war-ravaged country, adding that the two countries need to seize the opportunity to enhance bilateral relations.

"Today's Syria is not what it was before the war, although there were no destructions then, but the respect and prestige of Syria is greater than before, and everyone sees this country as a power," Khamenei told Assad, according to Iran's state TV.

Teheran has given financial and military support to Syria during the 11-year civil war, and said it has deployed forces in Syria at the invitation of Damascus but only as advisers, reported Agence France-Presse.

The relationship between Teheran and Damascus is "vital for both countries and we should not let it weaken", said Khamenei in a statement on his website. "We should strengthen it as much as possible."

Assad thanked Iran for its support to Syria, saying Iran has remained steadfast and unwavering in its stance on regional issues, especially on the issue of Palestine, over the past four decades.

In another meeting with Assad, Raisi said "resistance" will be a determining factor for restoring regional order and reclaiming Palestinians' rights.

Assad also thanked Iran for its support for Syria's resistance, saying his country is ready to expand security, political and economic coordination in a "strategic" way with Iran.

Assad left Teheran for the Syrian capital Damascus after the meetings.

This is his second visit to Teheran during his presidency. His first visit to Teheran took place in February 2019.

Xinhua - Agencies