Syria on frontline in defense of Islamic world: Ahmadinejad
Tehran Times Political Desk
TEHRAN -- President Mahmud Ahmadinejad officially welcomed Syrian
President Bashar al-Assad upon his arrival in Tehran on Sunday afternoon.
Ahmadinejad told reporters that Syria is on the frontline in the defense
of the Islamic world.
He called Assad one of the youngest and most intelligent leaders of the
Arab world and said, "I am happy that I hold my first meeting with one of
the most devoted leaders of the Islamic and Arab worlds."
The Iranian president said Tehran and Damascus enjoy deep and longstanding
ties, adding that the great affinities the two countries share have
strengthened this relationship.
Common threats and enemies have necessitated close ties between the two
Muslim states, Ahamadinejad explained.
"Iran and Syria can play important roles in the region and in the Islamic
world, and that is why we don't see any limitations to this cooperation,"
the president added.
This is Assad's fourth visit to Iran since he took office in 2000. His
last trip was in January 2004.
Heading a high-ranking delegation, the Syrian president plans to meet and
hold talks with Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed
Ali Khamenei, Majlis Speaker Gholam Ali Haddad Adel, and Expediency
Council Chairman Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani during his two-day stay.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said Assad had made the trip
to congratulate Ahmadinejad on the beginning of his presidency.
Discussions will also be held on regional issues, including the issue of
occupied Palestine and the expansion of political and economic ties, Asefi
added.
The Syrian president's trip to Iran comes a week after Lebanese Hezbollah
Secretary General Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah paid a visit to Iran and held
talks with the country's officials.
For his part, Assad congratulated Ahmadinejad on winning the trust of the
Iranian nation and said that his visit is taking place within the
framework of diplomatic shuttles between Iran and Syria.
The Syrian president said that he would discuss a number of regional and
international issues with the Iranian president, including the situation
in Iraq, the international campaign against terrorism, and the situation
in the Middle East.
Peace and stability in the region are important for Iran and Syria, and
the negotiations with Iranian officials aim to find practical ways to
improve the situation, the Syrian president added.
"Our national interests and principles are not separate from those of
other regional states. We should reach a common view, as two states of the
region, which serves the interests of all the other neighboring states,"
Assad said.
http://www.tehrantimes.com/Description.asp?Da=8/8/2005&Cat=2&Num=010
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| User: "" |
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| Title: Re: Syria On Frontline In Defense Of Islamic World--Ahmadinejad |
08 Aug 2005 07:07:35 AM |
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Oh well they are allies or is that in the sights of a Democratic
imposition?
Forced to be free!
LB
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