Syria, Iran vow to bolster ties to confront US and Israel

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5...jUfNQOEzSpQxRA

4 days ago

DAMASCUS (AFP) Regional allies Syria and Iran voiced their determination on Thursday to bolster their economic and political ties to overcome their common foes, Israel and the United States.

"We will continue to reinforce strategic cooperation in all sectors with our brothers in Iran because we are in the same trench, confronted to an abject and greedy enemy," Syrian Prime Minister Naji Otri said in reference to Israel and the United States.

"Cooperation between Syria and Iran could serve as an example for relations between Iran and Arab countries," Otri told a news conference with Iranian First Vice President Parviz Davoudi

The Iranian official described ties between Tehran and Damascus as "strategic, warm and privileged" and said his country was "working hard to develop ties with Syria."

Davoudi also had talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on bilateral cooperation and regional developments, including the situation in the Israeli-occupied territories, state-run SANA news agency said.

The United States has repeatedly accused Syria and Iran of fueling insecurity in Iraq and meddling in Lebanon's presidential crisis -- charges the two allies have firmly denied.