Pars Today

Pars Today- Imam Khamenei, addressing the visiting Syrian president and the accompanying delegation on Thursday, considered resistance as the prominent identity of Syria and said, "The special status of Syria in the region is also prominent due to this identity and this important feature must be preserved."

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, appreciating Mr. Bashar Assad's trip to Tehran to extend condolences to the Iranian nation, pointed to the outstanding role of Mr. Raeisi in bolstering of Iran-Syria relations and added, "Mr. Amir Abdollahian, too, paid special attention to this field."

Imam Khamenei, considered strengthening of Iran and Syria ties, as the two pillars of resistance front, as important, and said, "The prominent identity of Syria, which is the very resistance, was shaped during the time of late Hafez Assad with the foundation of the 'front of resistance and steadfastness' and this identity has always contributed to the Syrian national unity."

Stressing the need to preserve this identity, he reiterated, "The Westerners and their hangers-on in the region intended, through waging the war against Syria, destroy this country and omit Syria from the regional equations, but they failed and, now, they are also intent, through other methods including the promises which they will never fulfill, expel Syria from the regional equations."

The Leader, praising the firm steadfastness of Bashar Assad, stated, "Everyone should see the special privilege of the Syrian government, that is, resistance, before their eyes."

Imam Khamenei, referring to the political and economic pressures of the US and Europe against Iran and Syria, went on to say, "We should pass through these conditions with increasing cooperation and regulating it."

Pointing to preparedness of late president Raeisi to increase Iran and Syria cooperation in various fields, he continued, "Now, too, Mr. Mokhber, with presidential authorities, continues the same approach and we hope that everything will go forward in the best way."

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, censuring the stances and passiveness of some of the regional countries towards the issue of Gaza, referred to the recent Arab summit in Manama, and said, "There were many defaults in this summit about Gaza and Palestine, but some countries acted well."

Imam Khamenei stressed that the Islamic Republic of Iran maintains a positive and bright view of future, and added, "We hope that all of us will be able to fulfill our duty and reach this bright future."

The Syrian President, Bashar Assad, for his part, offered his condolences to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, the Iranian government and nation, and said to the Leader, "The relations of Iran and Syria are strategic relations which advance with Your Excellency's guidelines, and Mr. Raeisi and Mr. Amir Abdollaian were at the helm of executing these guidelines."

Pointing to the humble, wise and ethical character of Raeisi, Bashar Assad called him as the clear example of the Islamic Revolution's stances and slogans, and added, "Mr. Raeisi had an important impact, for the past three years, in the Islamic Republic's role in the regional issues and the issue of Palestine and also deepening of Iran-Syria relations."

The Syrian president, also, said, "After more than 50 years, the resistance line has progressed in the region and has now turned into an ideological and political approach."

Stressing that any retreat in the face of the West will cause it to advance, he added, "I announced several years ago that the cost of resistance is less than the cost of compromise and this issue is now very clear for the Syrian people, and the recent events in Gaza and the victories of resistance have also proved this issue for the regional people and showed that resistance is a principle."

Bashar Assad appreciated the Leader for his conspicuous and important role in supporting resistance in the region and also supporting Syria in every field.

After Bashar Assad's remarks, Imam Khamenei said, "There were important points in your statements, but one point was more important for me, namely, the issue that you stressed and said, 'The more we retreat, the opposite side will advance.' There is no doubt in this issue and this has been our slogan and belief for more than 40 years."

Key phrases: Who is Imam Khamenei? Iran and Syria, Bashar Assad, resistance front in West Asia, Who is Seyyed Ebrahim Raeisi? Iran and Palestine, Gaza

RM/ME