Iran increases number of military advisers in Syria: official

Iran has increased the number of its military advisers to the Syrian government in the fight against terrorists, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian was quoted as saying by ISNA news agency on Wednesday.

"Some may criticize Iran for sending the military advisers to Syria in the fight against terrorists and may consider it as un-constructive, but they are better to think first about the role that some countries play in supporting terrorism in Syria," Amir-Abdollahian was quoted as saying.

The Iranian foreign ministry official denied that Iran has sent ground forces to Syria to fight along with the Russian air forces against the militants.

Last week, an oppositional monitor group said that thousands of Iranian forces had arrived at the international airport of Syria's coastal city of Latakia to take part in battles in the northern countryside of the central province of Hama, the countryside of the northwestern province of Idlib and the Latakia Mountains.

The head of the Iranian parliament's national security and foreign policy commission, Alaedin Boroujerdi, who was on a visit to Syria last Thursday, said that his country would consider sending troops to Syria if the Syrian government requested that.

As for Iran and Russia's cooperation in Syria, Amir-Abdollahian said Tehran and Mosccow's relations are "strategic" not only in relation with the Syrian crisis, but with respect to Middle East and international issues.

Iran is seeking the same relations with Europe and expects that the "realistic approach" of the European countries will help tackle the regional issues, he added.

"Now, after five years of bloody conflict in Syria, which was started by the arrival of the terrorists in the country, there is no alternative for the Syrian government," he said.

Iran has emerged as a staunch regional ally of Syria in the country's long-lasting conflict. Endit