Iran's President, Syrian PM Discuss Crisis in Syria, Bilateral Relations

Source : Fars News Agency

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Syrian Prime Minister Wael Nader al-Halqi in a meeting in Tehran conferred on the latest developments in Syria, and stressed further expansion of relations between Tehran and Damascus.

During the meeting on Tuesday evening, President Ahmadinejad pointed to the efforts made by enemies to prolong the crisis in Syria, and stated that he is sure Syrians will victoriously pass through the current difficult situation.

"There is no way to stop the Syrian conflict except through national reconciliation and holding elections," the Iranian president underscored.

As regards bilateral ties, President Ahmadinejad called for the expansion of ties between Tehran and Damascus in all areas, adding that cooperation between the two countries will benefit Iranians and Syrians as well as regional nations.

The Syrian Prime Minister, for his part, said the enemies of the Syrian nation began targeting the infrastructure of Syria after they failed to realize their objectives.

"The global arrogance is sparing no effort to put Syrians under financial burdens. However, the Syrian nation will firmly resist their plots," he stated.

Syria has been experiencing unrest since March 2011 with organized attacks by well-armed gangs against Syrian police forces and border guards being reported across the country.

The US and its western and regional allies have long sought to topple Assad and his ruling system. Media reports said that the Syrian rebels and terrorist groups have received significantly more and better weapons in recent weeks, a crime paid for by the Persian Gulf Arab states and coordinated by the United States.

The US daily, Washington Post, reported in May that the Syrian rebels and terrorist groups battling the President Assad's government have received significantly more and better weapons in recent weeks, a crime paid for by the Persian Gulf Arab states and coordinated by the United States.

The newspaper, quoting opposition activists and US and foreign officials, reported that Obama administration officials emphasized the administration has expanded contacts with opposition military forces to provide the Persian Gulf nations with assessments of rebel credibility and command-and-control infrastructure.

Opposition activists who several months ago said the rebels were running out of ammunition said in May that the flow of weapons - most bought on the black market in neighboring countries or from elements of the Syrian military in the past - has significantly increased after a decision by Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other Persian Gulf states to provide millions of dollars in funding each month.