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SYRIA-CONFLICT-IRAN-DIPLOMACY
Iran, Syria sign defence, reconstruction deal
TEHRAN, Aug 27, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – The defence ministers of Iran and Syria
have signed an agreement on military cooperation and reconstruction in the
war-torn country, Iranian media reported on Monday.
“Syria is passing through the crisis stage and entering the reconstruction
phase,” said Iran’s Defence Minister Amir Hatami, according to the Tasnim
news agency.
Hatami is on the second day of a two-day visit to Damascus, during which he
held “detailed negotiations” with his counterpart Ali Abdullah Ayoub and
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, according to Tasnim.
The “defence and technical agreement” provides for the continued “presence
and participation” of Iran in Syria, Hatami added.
Tehran has provided steady political, financial, and military backing to
Assad as he has fought back a seven-year uprising.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1325 hrs