Syrian president officially welcomed by Iranian counterpart

Tehran, Oct 2, IRNA – President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad here on Saturday accorded an official welcome to his visiting Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad.

Syrian President, heading a high-ranking delegation, arrived in Tehran Saturday morning to review issues of mutual interest with senior Iranian officials.

President Assad’s visit is in response to the February visit to Syria of the Iranian President.

During the welcoming ceremony, the national anthems of the two countries were played and then the two Presidents reviewed the guard of honor.

The two Presidents are to start confidential and official talks on issues of mutual interest shortly.

Upon arrival in Tehran, the Syrian President was warmly welcomed by Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, Minister of Housing and Urban Development Ali Nikzad and ambassadors of several Arab states to Tehran.

Expansion of all-out ties and exchange of views on the latest regional and international developments are the main objectives of the current visit to Tehran of the Syrian delegation.

This is the eighth visit to Tehran of President Assad and his fifth during the Ahmadinejad presidency./end