TEHRAN - Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, visited Damascus on Sunday for talks with Syrian President Beshar al-Assad and declaring Tehran’s support for Syrian government and people in line with protecting the country’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In the current situation that Syria is standing against the “avowed enemies”, Iran is duty bound to provide the Syrian government and people with support, he told reporters upon his arrival at Damascus airport on Sunday.

Velayati praised the “courage” of Syrian President Beshar al-Assad in war against terrorists, calling it “unique in the history of Syria”.

“You are a source of pride due to your resistance against the enemies of Islam, and this ‘world war’, and the extremist and Takfiri movements,” Velayati noted.

Velayati told Assad, “The Leader of the Islamic Revolution has always supported the Syrian government and people and prays for your victory and the Iranian president has sent message of greetings and has always supported this path and we are sure that the Syrian people will gain victory.”

For his part, Assad said that Syria is determined to fight the terrorists.

Syria is a fierce battle with different terrorist groups including Daesh whose brutality has terrified the world.

According to Reuters, Assad said that his adversaries had increased weapon supplies and financial support to insurgents since the start of a major offensive aided by his allies to regain lost territory.

He also said that the military support his country was getting from Iran and Russia had pushed the enemy states he did not name to “further escalate and increase financing and equipping of terrorists.”

NA/PA