Iran's Khamenei praises Syria's 'resistance'

AYATOLLAH KHAMENEI: Iran's Supreme Leader praises Syria for steadfastness. (Getty Images)

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei praised on Wednesday key ally Syria for its "resistance" in the face of world powers in a meeting with visiting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, state media reported.

"Syria's most important characteristic among Arab countries is its steadfastness and resistance," Khamenei said, noting Syria's "excellent standing" in the region.

Khamenei said "the resistance front" in the Middle East "should strengthen its co-operation and ties," the state news agency IRNA reported.

"America's blade has become blunter in the region," Khamenei added.

Khamenei also branded as "very positive" Syria's improved relations with Iraq and said that unity between Iran and its western neighbours, Iraq and Turkey, and with Syria would benefit the region.

Assad arrived in Tehran earlier on Wednesday on a one-day visit during which he congratulated Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on his re-election, which he said was a "lesson for foreigners," IRNA reported.

"I have come here today to cordially congratulate you and the Iranian people," Assad said, according to IRNA.

"What happened in Iran was a major event and a great lesson for foreigners, that is why they are so upset," the Syrian president said.

Assad also insisted that relations between regional allies Syria and Iran and their positions on Middle East issues should remain unchanged during Ahmadinejad's second four-year tenure.

"Iran and Syria should pursue their... policies in the region," IRNA quoted Assad as telling Ahmadinejad.

He added, the report said without elaborating, that meetings between Iranian and Syrian officials are "necessary to send a message to faraway countries and those in the region as they have a weak memory and forget the lessons they learned."

Ahmadinejad for his part said "Iran and Syria are in the same trench" and insisted that the West "terribly needs the help and cooperation" of the two regional allies.

"Every political event is an opportunity that we should fully exploit with each other's help," Ahmadinejad said, without giving details.

Ahmdinejad's disputed re-election, which the opposition charges was the result of fraud, was met with mass protests, plunging the Islamic republic into its worst crisis in 30 years of its existence.

During the hardline president's first term Iran faced further international isolation over his uncompromising nuclear stance and frequent verbal attacks on Israel.

Assad's trip comes after France praised Syria for helping secure the release on bail of French university teaching assistant Clotilde Reiss and an Iranian employee at the French embassy in Tehran

The two were detained for their alleged role in the riots that broke out after Ahmadinejad's disputed re-election.

Assad last visited Iran in August 2008.

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