In a Monday meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Damascus, Assad paid tribute to late Iranian commander Lt. General Qassem Soleimani for his unequalled role in the battle against terrorism in Syria.
Appreciating Iran’s backing for the fight against terrorism in Syria, Assad also expressed his sympathy for the coronavirus deaths in Iran.
The Syrian president and the top Iranian diplomat then discussed the latest political developments in Syria, the status of Syria’s Constitutional Committee, and the developments in Idlib.
Zarif thanked Syria for sending representatives to the funeral of General Soleimani, stressing that the martyrdom of the top commander would by no means change Iran’s support for the resistance and the fight against terrorism in the region.
He also said that the US’ refusal to lift the cruel sanctions amid the outbreak of the coronavirus has laid bare Washington’s real intent.
Zarif further pointed to his recent telephone conversation with the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Syria Geir O. Pedersen, saying Iran, Turkey and Russia, the guarantors of the Astana peace process, are going to hold consultations in the near future.
Iran is a key ally of Syria as the Islamic Republic has been providing military advisory assistance to Damascus in its anti-terror campaign.
Iranian officials have also made it clear that Tehran would stand by Syria in the reconstruction projects of the war-stricken country.