IRAN PLEDGES TO SUPPORT SYRIA IN ANY WAR

NICOSIA [MENL] -- Iran has pledged to support Syria in any war against Israel.

But Iranian leaders would not detail that support. The official Islamic Republic News Agency said Khaddam and his Iranian hosts discussed ways "to coordinate and find suitable strategies to confront unexpected events."

The pledge was issued during the current visit by Syrian Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam to Teheran. Khaddam met with Iranian leaders and discussed the tension along the Israeli-Lebanese border as well as Israeli attacks on Syrian positions in Lebanon.

Khaddam said his visit to Teheran was to relay a message from Syrian President Bashar Assad to President Mohammad Khatami. The two countries also discussed ways to improve bilateral relations.

Iran and Syria cooperate in weapons and missile development. The Middle East Military Balance 2000-2001, published by Tel Aviv University's Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies, said Damascus and Teheran jointly developed the Scud C missile in 1999.

http://www.menewsline.com/stories/2001/july/07_26_2.html

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), July 27, 2001