Mottaki, President al-Assad discuss mutual ties

17 July 2008

Damascus-Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki held discussion with Syrian President Bashar Assad on regional and international developments, and ways for consolidating bilateral relations.

President Assad conveyed his warm greetings to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

President Assad said, "We all are proud of recent victories of the Lebanese Hizbollah and we felicitate the freedom of Lebanese prisoners of war."

Describing current negotiations between the Iranian and Syrian officials as positive and constructive, he said that continued talks in the current situation is very important and necessary for maintaining interests of both friendly nations and foiling the enemies conspiracies.

On bilateral relations, he underscored the need for close negotiations and closer exchanges of visits in a bid to consolidating mutual ties.

Elsewhere in his remark, he pointed to the latest developments in Iraq, noting that Damascus hopes that the Iraq-Syria negotiations will help Iraqi war-torn nation.

President Assad also exchanged views with Mottaki on the latest developments in Lebanon, Palestine and Sudan.

Mottaki heading a political delegation left Tehran to Oman, Syria and Turkey from Wednesday.