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Iran-Syria cooperation not of military nature - deputy FM

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Damascus, March 10, IRNA -- Iran-Syria cooperation had no military or 
security nature and was only for strengthening the public resistance 
in Palestine and Lebanon, Iran`s visiting Deputy Foreign Minister 
Ahmad Azizi said here on Wednesday. 
Azizi told IRNA that the strategic ties between Tehran and 
Damascus were based on "spiritual support" for the public resistance 
and struggle in Palestine and Lebanon against the occupying forces. 
His comments came as a reaction to the latest misinterpretation of
the western media from a comment made by Syrian Prime Minister 
Mohammad Naji al-Uteri who had said during his recent visit to Iran 
that the two capitals were united against foreign pressures. 
Exaggerating al-Uteri`s comments, the western media later claimed 
that the Syrian minister was referring to a military cooperation by 
Iran and Syria. 
"Tehran-Damascus cooperation had, by no means, a military or 
security nature," stressed the Iranian official noting that the two 
capitals have always been trying to boost regional public resistance 
"without playing a military role in the region." 
"No new development has been made in Tehran-Damascus relations," 
Azizi noted. 
He further stressed that the two capitals were only seeking to 
boost bilateral relations and, at the same time, they were also 
determined to continue their support for the public resistance in the 
region. 
Azizi arrived in Syria on Tuesday to submit President Mohammad 
Khatami`s message to his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad. 
He said that Iran`s support for Syrian stands, its emphasis on 
the need for strengthening public resistance in Lebanon and calling 
for more unity among Lebanese people were among major issues addressed
in President Khatami`s message for his Syrian counterpart. 
Referring to the massive turnout of the Lebanese in Beirut on 
Tuesday, Azizi said the event indicated that the Lebanese resistance 
had its roots among the people and that no power could stop such 
public move. 
Millions of Lebanese marched protest rallies last Tuesday to show 
their protest against the UN resolution 1559 about Syria and also 
to demonstrate their solidarity with Syria. 
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