Iran Stands by Syria , Ready for Talks With Neighboring States
IRAN NEWS POLITICAL DESK
TEHRAN – Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani in his meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Asad stated Iran supports and cooperates with Syria as an important member of the axis of resistance, in its fight against terrorism until all terrorists have been expelled and dealt with in Syria.
In the meeting with the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Larijani, referring to the Supreme Leader’s recommendation to support and cooperate with Syria as an important member of axis of resistance, said, “Congratulations to you on your resistance over these years, especially as things have changed a lot and your recent victories are crucial”.
Larijani added, “Today, the position of many countries in the region that used to speak viciously has changed, and this could not have happened but with the resistance in Syria.”
Noting that the Syrian president is recognized as one of the smart leaders in the region, the speaker added, “Among the issues that have caused a change in America’s words and positions are the romotion of resistance, including the assassination of Lieutenant General Soleimani.”
He added, “On the day of the martyrdom of Soleimani, the leader elected his successor, whose message was to continue the process of resistance and becoming more determined.
At the beginning of the meeting, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad addressed Larijani, saying, “We met during the war and had discussions on strategic issues. Your positions have always been clear and we are constantly followed by the media.”
“The victories that we made are a cause of fear of the United States and the West, and especially the double standards we see in the U.S. government today,” the Syrian president said. At the end of the meeting, Bashar al-Assad thanked Iran for its support, directly or indirectly, by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, to the Syrian people and government.
Later during meeting with his Syrian counterpart Hamouda Sabbaghm, Larijani said that Iran will stand by the Syrian nation for reconstruction of the country.
The Iranian speaker said that the terrorists were created by the U.S. in this region and “were regretfully supported by some regional countries.”
He, however, noted that the Syrians emerged victorious in this resistance.
Larijani said that the situation is different from eight years ago when he said one of the regional leaders criticized Iran’s support for Damascus and told him that everything is over for Syria.
He said that he had told the regional state’s leader that they were wrong and did not know the Syrian nation.
Larijani reaffirmed Iran’s resolve to support Syria.
The Syrian side said for his part that the martyrdom of Lieutenant-General Qasem Soleimani and other resistance martyrs was great loss for the regional security.
Sabbagh said that “the stupid terrorists” thought that they could put up the fire of resistance with the assassination of these commanders while he said that their terrorist action backfired and instead, it served to bring together the nations against the U.S. and hegemonic powers.
He appreciated Iran’s support for Syria during tough times.
Larijani later yesterday left for Beirut, Lebanon to meet Lebanese officials. Larijani in Beirut stressed that the Islamic Republic of Iran considers the solution of problems between itself and some Arab countries in the Middle East political dialogue and Iran is ready for dialogue.
Addressing a gathering of 40 elites, university professors and intellectuals in Lebanon’s Phoenicia Hotel in response to their questions, Larijani said that Iran is ready for talks and a few days ago Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif stated that he is ready to negotiate with Saudi Arabia.
“We are in close proximity to a number of Arab countries and share common ideas, and do not accept cutting off ties, and believe that misunderstandings can be resolved through dialogue,” Larijani said.
He noted that “we may disagree on some areas, but this is apart from enmity”. For example, “we emphasize democracy, and some Arab countries may not”, but this should not be grounds for hostility.
Some Arab countries have been deceived by the United States, taking away their money and oil, the speaker said. Iran opposes this situation but is not the Arab states’ enemy.
Larijani emphasized that “we do not run away from the dialogue”, but others avoid it. The U.S. is exerting pressure on them to prevent them from talking to Iran. At the same time, some of them are secretly talking “to us and cooperating, but openly speaking against Iran”.
