TEHRAN – Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said that victory over terrorism, extremism and divisive thoughts were not possible without support by Iran.

He made the remarks during a meeting with Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior advisor to Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in Damascus on Tuesday.

He stated that axis of resistance has been formed in the Mideast region and no one can break it, adding that definitely, victory will be achieved.

He expressed hope that more achievements and victories would be achieved in fight against terrorism.

The Syrian president also said that Velayati’s trip to Syria has a “political message”.

---- Velayati says illusion of dividing regional countries will not come true-----

The Iranian official stated that that illusion of dividing up the countries in the Mideast region will not come true.

Some countries’ illusion to dominate the region and disintegrate some countries will never come true, he stated.

He reiterated Tehran’s position that Iran will always stand beside the Syrian government and people.

Velayati expressed hope that terrorism, extremism and Takfiri movements would be eradicated.

Velayati took a trip to Lebanon on Monday and entered Syria on Tuesday.

------Iran hails Hezbollah gains on Syria-Lebanon border -------


On Monday, Velayati also met with Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah.

Velayati, who was Iran’s foreign minister in the 1980s and 1990s, said Tehran was proud of its key ally Hezbollah for advances it has made against Al-Nusra terrorists in a Syrian region on the Lebanese border.

“We are filled with pride and appreciation when we see that in recent days, the valiant Lebanese resistance (Hezbollah) has achieved great progress and excellent victories alongside the brave Syrian army,” he said after meeting Lebanon’s parliamentary speaker.

“We believe this will strengthen the axis of resistance, not just in Syria and Lebanon, but in the whole region,” he added, according to the yourmiddleeast website.

“We hope, with God’s will, to see the day when some regional powers will stop supporting and harboring these evil, unjust forces, whether in Syria or Lebanon, and to stop providing a haven for them –- so that we can return harmony, security and stability to all of Syria and Lebanon.”

Hezbollah has been fighting to secure the Qalamun region that straddles the Syria-Lebanon border.

The region was largely recaptured by Syrian forces last year, but some terrorists remain in the mountainous area along the frontier and have launched attacks into Lebanon.

Both Iran and Hezbollah are strong allies of Syria and have backed the country against terrorist acts that began in March 2011.

NA/PA