Rouhani Urges Regional Push for Expulsion of U.S. Forces

Date: 14 January 2020 - 22:01

News ID: ۷۵۱۰۰

TEHRAN (Dispatches) – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in a meeting with Syria’s Prime Minister Imad Khamis on Tuesday called for constant efforts by regional nations to drive the American military forces out of the region.
In the meeting, Rouhani thanked the Syrian government and nation for their sympathy over the U.S. assassination of top Iranian commander Lt. General Qassem Soleimani and the loss of Iranian passengers in a recent crash of a Ukrainian jetliner near Tehran.
Rouhani said the late Iranian commander was assassinated in a U.S. terrorist attack because he was a supporter of oppressed people across the region and thwarted plots hatched by the U.S. and other enemies.
"We will never forget such a grave U.S. crime and believe that regional nations should not relax until ending the military presence of the U.S. in the region and evicting those invaders,” he underlined.
"Today, the Americans’ interference in the affairs of other countries and their attempts to seize Syria’s oil wells have clearly revealed that they’ve never cared about the interests of regional nations,” he deplored.
Rouhani also reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to supporting the Syrian government and people, saying that cooperation between Tehran and Damascus should continue until achieving the final victory, eradicating terrorism, evicting the foreign occupiers from Syria, and helping the Syrian refugees return to their homeland.
Imad Khamis, for his part, offered condolences over the martyrdom of Lt. General Soleimani, and described the loss of the Iranian commander as a major disaster for all freedom-seeking nations in the world.
The Syrian premier also said that Iran’s retaliatory missile attack on a U.S. military base in Iraq has sent a clear message to regional and world governments. "It showed the enemies that the arrogance has no place in this region anymore.”
Highlighting the continued efforts to eradicate terrorism in the region, Khamis added, "The presence of Americans in Syria is a blatant example of occupation, and we believe that all nations and governments must stand against their (U.S.’) illegitimate presence in the region.”
The Syrian nation is grateful to the "Iranian brothers” for all their support and help, Khamis went on to say, calling for efforts to expand the trade ties and broaden cooperation between Damascus and Tehran in various fields.
He stressed the importance of stepping up efforts to boost trade and economic cooperation between Damascus and Tehran, saying Iran is a top priority for Syria in the reconstruction process of the war-ravaged country.
Khamis invited the Iranian companies and private sector to get involved in Syria’s projects.
The Syrian prime minister arrived in Tehran Sunday night at the head of a high-ranking political delegation to hold talks with senior Iranian officials about mutual relations and the latest developments in the region and the world.