Syrian Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam arrived in Tehran yesterday on a two-day official visit during which he will hold talks with Iranian officials about the Middle East, as reported by Iranian Radio.
Iranian First Vice President Hassan Habibi received the Syrian Vice President, who held talks with Iranian President Mohammad Khatami yesterday afternoon.
In a statement to reporters, Khaddam confirmed that he was carrying a message from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to President Khatami related to “the turbulent situation in the Middle East.” He said, “This message addresses the possibilities that could happen in the region,” without any further clarifications in this regard. He added that it is the responsibility of Syria and Iran “in the Islamic world to establish security and stability in the region.”
For his part, Habibi stressed that Iran “has always supported its friends, especially Syria, Palestine and Lebanon.” He added, "We have always condemned the threats directed at our Syrian, Palestinian and Lebanese friends."
Last Saturday, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized “Israeli acts of violence against the Palestinians” and called on the international community to take action to prevent them.
For several days, Iran has been demanding that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon be tried as a "war criminal."
In a press conference held yesterday by Iranian Vice President Hassan Habibi with his Syrian counterpart, Abdul Halim Khaddam, he warned of the consequences of the Israeli entity launching an attack on Syria and Lebanon, stressing that Iran stands by Syria with the capabilities it possesses in confronting any aggression carried out by Israeli forces. He said that Iran's support for Syria "is unlimited."
For his part, Syrian Vice President Abdel Halim Khaddam explained that Iran and Syria do not constitute an axis in the region in contrast to other axes, and that Tehran and Damascus have relations of cooperation in various fields.
Regarding the possibility of war breaking out in the Middle East, Khaddam said that all possibilities are possible, explaining that Syria considers itself to be in a state of war with Israel since 1947. He added, “It is easy to wage war, but getting out of it is difficult.” He stressed that such a war, if it broke out, “would cost the Israelis dearly.”
