TEHRAN – Syrian Deputy Prime Minister Walid al-Moallem has said Iran has stood by Syria since the very beginning of the war against terrorism and “we thank the Iranian people and leadership for their help.”

“Since the beginning of the crisis, Iran has supported Syria in the war against terrorism” which is backed and financed by certain countries in the region and outside, al-Moallem said at a press conference, SANA reported on Saturday.

He added Iran has no military presence in Syria and there are “only advisers who work on the side of the Syrian Arab Army.”

He added that Syria is a sovereign state and it will cooperate with whoever it wishes on counterterrorism.

MH/PA