Iran reiterates support for Syria in fighting terror

Iran has helped Syria fight terrorism and will continue to do so, Iran's Majlis (parliament) Speaker Ali Larijani said here on Monday, according to official IRNA news agency.

Syria has been the battle ground against terrorism over the past few years and it has foiled the plots hatched by some powers against the country, Larijani told a joint press conference with his visiting Syrian counterpart, Mohammad Jihad al-Laham.

The spread of terrorism is not only a problem to the region but to all people in the world, Larijani said, expressing the hope that the Syrian nation will overcome terrorism in their country.

The Iranian speaker criticized "some regional countries" which, he said, support the spread of terrorism in Syria and Iraq.

For his part, al-Laham, the Syrian parliament speaker thanked Iran for its help in fighting terrorists over the past four years.

"Our region is threatened by terrorism, which is backed by the colonial powers and some of our neighbors," al-Laham said. "We are in Tehran to further coordinate our cooperation."

Cooperation between Tehran and Damascus has been a factor of stability in the region and it will serve as a barricade to the threats against the security of the region, he added.

Al-Laham also criticized some western countries for exerting sanction pressures against Syria, which has had its impacts on the lives of Syrian people.

Iran has vowed "unlimited" support for Syria in its fight against rebels which aim to overthrow the government of President Bashar al-Assad.

Heading a parliamentary delegation, al-Laham arrived in Tehran on Monday for talks on bilateral cooperation as well as developments in the region. Endit