UPDATE – Iran’s Raisi lauds war-torn Syria for ‘victory’ in 1st visit since 2011

UPDATES WITH DETAILS, REVISES HEADLINE, EDITS THROUGH
By Syed Zafar Mehdi
TEHRAN, Iran (AA) – Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday hailed head of the Syrian regime, Bashar al-Assad, for achieving “victory” during his first visit to Damascus since 2011.
Following a ceremonial reception for the visiting Iranian president at the Syrian presidential palace, the two sides held delegation-level talks during which they discussed bilateral and regional issues.
Raisi said Syria was able to “win [the war]” despite sanctions, as cited by Iran’s state media.
The Iranian leader reaffirmed Tehran’s continued support for the Assad regime.
"Syria's government and people have gone through great difficulties, and today we can say that you have overcome all these problems and achieved victory despite the threats and sanctions imposed on you," Raisi said.
After the meeting, the two countries signed 15 cooperation documents in the presence of the two presidents and their respective delegations.
Raisi and Assad also signed a memorandum of understanding on long-term comprehensive strategic cooperation between the two countries.
Raisi’s high-stakes visit to Damascus is the first by an Iranian president since 2011. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was the last Iranian president to visit the Arab country in September 2010.
Iran has been a staunch supporter of the Assad regime, providing Damascus with economic and military support.
Raisi told his Syrian counterpart that “regional and extra-regional” powers had failed to affect relations between Tehran and Damascus while vowing to further boost bilateral ties.
Importantly, the two-day visit comes amid intense diplomacy drive in the region and normalization of relations between Syria and many of its Arab neighbors, including Saudi Arabia.
Iran, which severed its ties with Riyadh in 2015, is set to re-open its diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia weeks after the two countries agreed to restore ties in a China-brokered deal.
Before embarking on the Syria visit, the Iranian president said the two sides will “hold consultations to strengthen and improve economic, political and security relations”, according to his office.
Raisi is accompanied by senior members of his cabinet, including the ministers of foreign affairs, defense, oil, roads and urban development, and telecommunications.
On the eve of the visit, Iranian government spokesman Ali Bahadori Jahromi said Tehran and Damascus are poised to take their cooperation to the “highest level”, adding that the main purpose is “economic.”
On Sunday, Iranian Ambassador in Damascus, Hossein Akbari, said Raisi’s visit will be a “turning point” in the region with “positive effects.”
“This visit will not only be useful for Tehran and Damascus, but it is also a very good event that other countries in the region can also take advantage of,” Akbari said.