Syria's ties with Russia, Iran "deep", "tangible": FM

Syrian foreign minister said on Wednesday that his country's relationship with Russia and Iran, staunch allies of Damascus, is deeper than anyone would think.

"I can assure the Syrian people that the support of Russia and Iran to Syria is very clear and tangible, very tangible," al-Moallem said, during a joint press conference with his Armenian counterpart, Edward Nalbandian, who is on an official visit to Syria.

"The relations between Syria, Iran and Russia are so deep and deeper than anyone would think," al-Moallem added, answering a question why the intelligence support between the three countries didn't stop the progress of the Islamic State (IS) militants, who recently stormed the ancient city Palmyra.

Meanwhile, Syria's top diplomat slammed the recent remarks by the French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, accusing him and his country's allies of supporting terrorism.

The French FM said on Tuesday that Iraq and Syria are on the brink of a split-up, and urged the international community to step up its fight against the militant group.

Fabius said Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had lost control of his country, adding that "In Iraq, like Syria, international mobilization must be strengthened very quickly or else we are heading towards the division of one or the other country, if not both, with new massacres and disastrous consequences."

Al-Moallem responded to Fabuis remarks by saying: "If Fabuis was really concerned, he should stop conspiring against Syria along with his allies."

"I say to Fabuis to avert us his evil, meaning their repetitive stances along with their allies toward Syria because they were the ones who supported the terrorism," al-Moallem remarked.

The Syrian foreign minister stressed that the Syrians are capable to confront the long-running crisis along with any attempt to divide Syria.

Al-Moallem also criticized the air strikes of the U.S.-led coalition in Syria, saying his country has never relied on such strikes.

"There was not a single second that we relied on the raids of the coalition and whoever relies on them in fighting Daesh is living an illusion," al-Moallem said, using the Arabic acronym of the IS.

However, the foreign minister said his government has sensed a change is some of the Western countries' stance toward Syria, noting that the countries that are still largely conspiring against Syria are Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar and Turkey.

He also urged for bigger coordination between Damascus and Baghdad as both governments are facing the same threat of the IS.

"Syria and Iraq are facing a mutual enemy and we are in same trench in this battle but the size of the coordination has yet to reach the level of threat that is facing us," he said. Endit