Assad to meet Iranian security head in Damascus

Dec 27, 2010, 11:06 GMT

Damascus - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is expected to meet with the undersecretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Baqeri later Monday, diplomatic sources in Damascus said.

Baqeri, who has been in Syria on an official visit since Saturday evening, met with leaders from Palestinian movements at the Iranian embassy in Damascus.

He held separate meetings with the Islamic Jihad Movement Ramadan, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), the Iranian news agency Al-Fars reported.

'The ongoing circumstances (in the region) show that resistance will determine the future of the Middle-East,' Baqeri said in a meeting with Jibril.

Baqeri is also reported to have met with senior Hamas officials in Damascus, as well as Hussein Khalil, a political aide to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Iran provides financial support to Hezbollah, the anti-Israeli militant movement based in southern Lebanon.

Baqeri's talks with al-Assad are expected to include the Iranian nuclear issue, as well as regional security issues such as the situation in Iraq.

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