TEHRAN - Iran’s Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli has said the Syrian government is fighting a war against international terrorism.

Fazli made the remarks in a meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian capital Damascus on Tuesday.

He said the Islamic Republic is steadfast in assisting the Syrian government.

The two discussed the strong and strategic bilateral ties and mutual cooperation between Iran and Syria, especially in the war on terrorism.

The Syrian head of state said, “Friendly countries, especially Iran and Russia, have, over five years, played an essential role in the Syrians’ perseverance and firmness and achievement of victories in the fateful war against Takfiri terrorism.”

In their meeting, Rahmani Fazli and Assad also pointed to some regional countries’ provision of support for the terrorist groups operating in Syria, and their obstruction of a peaceful resolution of the crisis in the country.

------- ‘Takfiris not linked to divine religions’

Rahmani Fazli dismissed claims by Takfiris that they are follower of Islam, saying that the militant groups and Zionists are to blame for the acts of violence and extremism.

“All of the divine religions believe in peace, security and stability while Takfiris and Zionists are seeking to incite wars and instigate violence and extremism,” Rahmani Fazli said at a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart Major General Mohammad al-Shaar in Damascus on Monday.

“The Islam that we have endorsed is a religion of unity, peace, security and fraternity but the Islam proclaimed by Wahhabis and Takfiris is after bloodletting, extremism and terrorism,” he stated.

Pointing to Iran’s support for the Syrian nation and government, he said, “Wherever the Muslim people are subjected to oppression, including in Syria, Yemen, and Iraq, we deem it our duty to defend the oppressed.”

He said Iran’s support for Syria has never been a secret, adding that Iran’s backing came upon the request of the Damascus government.

Elsewhere in the presser, Rahmani Fazli said the governments that are colluding with the U.S. and the Israeli regime against Muslim nations “have no place among the Muslim people of the region… and their support for Takfiri terrorists will be etched in the historical memory of nations.”

For his part, Shaar hailed Iran’s support for his country in the fight against Takfiri terrorism, saying the Syrians are pushing toward the final victory and have made a great many gains so far in various fields.

SP/P