Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister Fayssal Mikdad discussed on Wednesday in Tehran with Speaker of Iran’s Shura Council Ali Larijani the latest developments in Syria and the exerted efforts for combating terrorism. Larijani affirmed his country’s firm stance in supporting the Syrian Government and people in countering terrorism, saying “Iran will spare no effort to support the Syrian Government in fighting terrorism and restoring security and stability to Syria.” He hailed the victories realized by the Syrian Arab army on different fronts in confronting the Takfiri terrorist organizations in Syria. For his part, Mikdad reviewed the advances achieved by the Syrian army in fighting terrorism in cooperation with Syria’s friends. He reiterated that countering terrorism is the top priority of the Syrian people till completely eliminating it from their country to pave the way for a political process which is based on respecting the Syrian sovereignty and the right of the Syrian people in deciding their future without any foreign interference. “Fighting terrorism entails honest efforts by all and serious work to prevent providing support to terrorists based on the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council,” Mikdad said. He expressed thanks to Iran and Russia for their support to Syria in fighting terrorism which threatens the security and stability in the region and the world. Mikdad discusses with Zarif and Velayati coordination in fighting terrorism Later, Mikdad discussed with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohamad Javad Zarif bilateral coordination in matters of mutual interests, efforts for combating terrorism, and the ongoing endeavors for the political solution to the crisis in Syria. During the meeting, Zarif briefed Mikad on what took place in Vienna last week regarding the crisis in Syria, stressing the need to continue coordination until the crisis is resolved, and asserting that the Syrian people are the ones who will decide their future, while other states’ task is to facilitate inter-Syrian dialogue. For his part, Mikdad reviewed recent developments and thanked the Iranian leadership for the support it is providing to Syria. In the same context, Mikad met Ali Akbar Velayati, adviser to Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, who confirmed his country’s firm position of supporting Syria in combating terrorism and ensuring the return of security and stability to it. Velayati asserted that any initiative for resolving the crisis in Syria requires coordination and consultation with the Syrian government, and it must take into account the rights of the Syrian people, affirming Iran’s absolute rejection of interference in Syria’s internal affairs. In turn, Mikdad briefed Velayati on the achievements being made in Syria in fighting terrorism, asserting that Syria will emerge victorious over terrorism. After the meeting, Mikdad and Velayati held a joint press conference in which they confirmed that the two sides will continue coordination and consultation until a political solution is reached, with Velayati asserting that Iran will not accept any initiative that isn’t accepted by the Syrian government and people, denying that there is any cooperation with the United States regarding Syria. Mikdad said that malicious forces that have ill intentions towards Syria are proposing the idea of a transitional stage in a bid to achieve via diplomacy what they failed to achieve by military force, and this proposition serves these forces’ interests and serves terrorists who want to destroy Syria. On Tuesday, Mikdad discussed with Iranian Assistant Foreign Minister for the Arab and African Affairs Hussein Amir Abdullahian the continuation of the consultation and coordination between Syria and Iran regarding issues of mutual interest and countering terrorism.