The Hindu : International : Iran, Syria for united front to counter threats

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Feb 17, 2005

International

International

Iran, Syria for united front to counter threats

By Atul Aneja

MANAMA, FEB. 16. Iran and Syria have said that they are ready to form a united front to face challenges and threats from abroad.

The visiting Syrian Prime Minister, Naji al-Otari, who held talks with senior Iranian officials told reporters that "This meeting, which takes place at this sensitive time, is important, especially because Syria and Iran face several challenges and it is necessary to build a common front."

His host, the Iranian Vice-President Mohammad Reza Arif said, "Our Syrian brothers are facing specific threats and we hope they can benefit from our experience. We are ready to give them any help necessary."

Both countries are under intense U.S. pressure, with Washington accusing Iran of seeking nuclear weapons. The U.S. tensions with Syria have heightened since the assassination of the former Lebanese Prime Minister, Rafik Hariri, on Monday. The U.S. on Tuesday recalled its Ambassador to Syria for urgent consultations following Mr. Hariri's killing.

The announcement from Iran and Syria was carefully timed and came as Hariri was buried in the Lebanese capital Beirut.

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