Syria “brilliant” in international relations, Iran expressed joy

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (left) holds a press conference in Syria on March 23 with his Syrian counterpart Faisal Mekdad. (Source: AFP)

Foreign Minister Abdollahian made the comments during a visit to Damascus and had meetings with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, his Syrian counterpart Faisal Mekdad and the head of Syria’s National Security Service Ali Mamlouk.

Iran has provided financial and military support to the Assad regime during its 11-year war in the country. Iran says it has deployed forces in Syria at the invitation of Damascus and only as advisers.

Mr. Abdollahian emphasized: “We welcome that some Arab countries are trying to normalize relations with the Syrian Arab Republic by adopting a new approach. We are happy about that.”

For his part, Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad said Abdollahian’s visit was “a good opportunity to review regional developments and bilateral relations”.

Abdollahian’s visit to Damascus follows President Assad’s visit to the UAE last week – the Syrian leader’s first visit to an Arab country since the start of the Syrian war.

Assad’s visit, which has drawn criticism from the United States, has highlighted the warming relationship between Syria and the UAE.

Official news agency WAM The United Arab Emirates reported that President Assad and the de facto leader of the UAE, Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, discussed the “brotherly relationship” between the two countries.

The two leaders also focused on discussing efforts to contribute to “consolidating security, stability and peace in the Arab region and the Middle East”.