Iran-Syria Presidents start private talks

Tehran, Oct 2, IRNA – President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his visiting Syrianan counterpart Bashar al-Assad started their private talks minutes ago here on Saturday.

The Syrian president arrived here Saturday morning heading a high-ranking delegation to review issues of mutual interest with senior Iranian officials.

The two Presidents began private talks after President Assad was officially welcomed by President Ahmadinejad.

Upon arrival, 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, particularly the economic cooperation, 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.

President Assad’s visit is taking place in response to the February visit to Syria of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

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