NICOSIA [MENL] -- Iran and Syria are reviewing defense cooperation and
discussing new projects.The discussions took place during this week's visit by an Iranian
military delegation led by Gen. Sid Mohammed Hijazi, head of the military
guidance department. On Monday, Hijazi met Syrian Chief of Staff Gen. Hassan
Turkmani and Syrian Defense Minister Mustafa Tlas.A Syrian government statement said Hijazi's meeting with Turkmani
focused on ways to improve relations between the militaries of Iran and
Syria. Turkmani was appointed to the post of chief of staff last month.Iran is regarded as Syria's strategic ally in the Middle East and has
provided significant aid for Syria's weapons programs. Arab diplomatic
sources said this has included the construction of a joint production line
for Scud-class missiles as well as aid for Syria's nonconventional weapons
programs. In exchange, Syria has allowed Iran to supply weapons and military
personnel to neighboring Lebanon, controlled by the regime of Syrian
President Bashar Assad.
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