Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Defense ties between Tehran, Damascus help restore regional security

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Damascus, March 11, IRNA
Iran-Syria-Defense
Visiting Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics Brigadier General Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar on Sunday conferred with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on issues of mutual interests and expansion of ties between the two countries.

Najjar, heading a ranking delegation from the defense ministry, said existing strategic and defensive ties between the two countries would lead to promotion of peace, stability and security in the region.

The Iranian minister recalled the remarks of Supreme Leader of the Islamic revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei terming Iran-Syria relations as 'strategic'.

"We consider capability of the Syrian defensive forces as our own and believe that expansion of defensive ties would help strengthen World Muslims and help deal with the threats of the enemies," he added.

He said that given very good and sincere relations between the two sides, the ground is well-prepared for expansion of defense cooperation.

Existing defense ties between Tehran and Damascus is considered as symbol of cooperation for reinforcing regional security, he said.

The Syrian president, for his part, expressed full satisfaction with the expansion of all-out ties on defensive issues.

Given remarkable role of Iran and Syria in helping consolidate peace, stability and security in the region, he underlined the need to further broaden cooperation and make more coordination between the two countries.

The two sides also reviewed mutual interests for expansion of cooperation between Tehran and Damascus on various issues mainly in the field of defense.

The Iranian defense minister also convoyed the warm greetings of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Iranian nation to Syrian president, government and its nation.

The Syrian defense minister along with Iran's Ambassador to Damascus Mohammad Hassan Akhtari were also present in the meeting.

The Iranian minister is in Syria at the invitation of his Syrian counterpart.

The Iranian delegation arrived in Damascus on Friday on a three day visit to the country for talks with Syrian senior officials on regional developments.

The Iranian defense minister is scheduled to hold talks with his Syrian counterpart to ink a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on defense cooperation.

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