Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign and Expatriates Minister Walid al-Moallem received on Wednesday Iranian Assistant Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Jaberi Ansari and the accompanying delegation.

Both sides exchanged views on the current developments in Syria and the outcomes of the fifth round of Astana meeting and the seventh round of the Syrian-Syrian dialogue in Geneva.

Al-Moallem and Ansari shared convergent views on the importance of continuing and deepening coordination between both sides in the next stage.

The deep strategic ties binding Tehran and Damascus and means to further bolster them in the various fields were discussed during the meeting, in addition to touching upon the developments in the region, mainly in relation to the occupied Palestinian territories and Iraq.

Al-Moallem reviewed the efforts which Syria is making in the course of its battle against the terrorist organizations and their backers that are seeking to destroy Syria in service of Israel.

Lauding the military victories achieved by the Syrian Arab army in cooperation with the allies and friends, al-Moallem stressed that Syria will continue its war on terrorists relentlessly, in parallel with its continued efforts to reach a solution to the crisis that maintains its sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.

Al-Moallem expressed in this context the deep appreciation of the leadership and people of Syria for the support provided by Iran in various areas.

For his part, Jaberi Ansari affirmed that Iran will continue to support Syria and its people on all levels, including in its battle against terrorism until achieving victory and restoring peace and stability to the entire Syrian territory, stressing the importance of reaching a solution to the crisis in Syria without foreign interference.

He also highlighted the importance of Iranian-Syrian-Russian coordination to reach a political solution in Syria.

Both al-Moallem and Jaberi Ansari strongly condemned the measures taken by the Israeli occupation authorities in Jerusalem and their closing of al-Aqsa Mosque and preventing worshipers from praying there, holding the Israeli authorities accountable for the dangerous repercussions that could result from these measures and for anything that happens to the mosque and for the attempts at judaizing Jerusalem and obliterating its Palestinian identity.

The two officials also reviewed the victories achieved by the Iraqi army and the People’s Mobilization Forces against ISIS terrorist organizations, extending congratulations to the people and government of Iraq on the great victory in Mosul city.

Earlier on the day, Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister Fayssal Mikdad met with Jaberi Ansari and the delegation accompanying him and discussed with them the bilateral strategic relations between Iran and Syria and ways to develop them further.

Both sides reviewed the latest developments on the regional and international levels and their repercussions on the prospects of the political process in Syria and the region in general.