Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi arrives at Damascus airport, Syria, May 3, 2023. (PHOTO / REUTERS)
DAMASCUS — Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday lauded Syria's victory in emerging from a 12-year war during his meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian capital of Damascus.
"Syria's government and people have gone through tremendous hardships, and today we can say that you have weathered and overcame all these problems and achieved victory despite the threats and sanctions imposed against you," Raisi told Assad at the al-Sha'ab presidential palace in Damascus as the Iranian leader has embarked on a landmark visit to Syria, the first for an Iranian president during the 12-year Syrian war.
For his part, Assad said that the Syrian-Iranian relations are "rich in content, rich in experience and insights," and have remained stable and firm against severe political and security storms in the region.
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Earlier in the day, an official reception ceremony was held upon the arrival of Raisi and his ministerial delegation at the al-Sha'ab presidential palace in Damascus.
During the two-day official visit, the Iranian president will hold extensive political and economic talks with President Bashar al-Assad, followed by signing several agreements, according to the state news agency SANA.