Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami, in a meeting with Syria’s Deputy Defense Minister Major General Mahmoud al-Shawa, hailed the resistance of the Arab country in the course of the war on terrorism. RNA - Hatami praised the resistance of the people and the government of Syria as well as the Syrian Armed Forces against terrorism, saying, "The Syrian people with their actions in the fight against terrorism saved themselves and the region from a big danger.”
Hatami made the remarks in the meeting with al-Shawa who is in Tehran to attend the Defense and Security in West Asia Conference.
He praised the Syrian nation for victory over terrorism, adding that Iran will stay with the country until the final victory.
“As we have been with the Syrian people so far and we will stay with them until the final victory,” the Iranian minister underlined.
Hatami further referred to the victories of the Syrian people and liberating the most part of country’s territories, adding, "Syria is now in the reconstruction period and we are ready to take the necessary steps to rebuild the country."
During the meeting, Hatami and al-Shawa exchanged views on issues of mutual interests as well as regional issues.
Mahmoud al-Shawa, for his part, extended his appreciation to the Iranian government and nation for the support during the fight against terrorism, saying, “The Syrian government, the nation and the Syrian Armed Forces owe much to the support of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the years-long of resistance and victories against the terrorists.”
He emphasized the resolute and all-out struggle against the terrorists, stating "the Syrian people and the Syrian Army will continue to fight the terrorists until cleaning them out from the entire country”.
The Syrian official added that now only one percent of Syria's territory is under the occupation of the terrorists who are continuing their terror campaign with the support of the Americans, vowing to retake that one percent from the ISIL terrorists as well.
Today, Syria is turning into a desirable environment, and the country's refugees are returning to their safe land, the Syrian military official further noted.
Earlier on December 20, Iran's Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Eshaq Al-e Habib called upon foreign countries with illegal military presence in Syria to immediately leave the war-ravaged country, and urged the UN to exercise its jurisdiction over the issue.
He urged the world body to throw its weight behind the ongoing political process on Syria and help rebuild the war-wracked country.
According to Fars News Agancy, the United Nations Security Council held a meeting on Syria with a focus on a UN-backed constitutional body for the crisis-hit country, days after the three mediators of a peace process in Syria reached a set of agreements in Geneva, Austria, on the issue.
Addressing the Security Council session, Al-e Habib further called for the withdrawal of the foreign forces operating on Syrian soil without the Damascus government's permit.
The senior Iranian diplomat further emphasized the need for the continuation of peace efforts in parallel with counter-terrorism battles based on international law.
It is the Syrian people who can decide their country's fate, and the international community can only help facilitate that process, he added.
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