Efforts underway to drag Syria into civil war, Iran says

TEHRAN, Feb. 28 (MNA) – Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said that certain Western and regional Arab countries along with the Zionist regime are making efforts to drag Syria into a civil war. “Western countries and the Zionist regime as well as certain regional countries are pursuing a policy of dragging Syria into a civil war, which Iran and Lebanon are seriously opposed to,” Vahidi stated at a joint press conference with Lebanese Minister of National Defense Fayez Ghosn in Tehran on Monday. On the referendum held in Syria on Sunday on a new constitution, Vahidi stated, “Iran and Lebanon regards it as a great step toward strengthening the country.” Vahidi also commented on military threats that the Zionist regime have been issuing against the Islamic Republic, saying Iran will give a strong response to any military aggression by Israel. During the press conference, Vahidi also commented on Iran’s cooperation with Lebanon in the area of defense, saying, “The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to strengthen the Lebanese army.” “The Lebanese government has welcomed Iran’s readiness to strengthen the country’s army. “Strengthening this country’s army is a serious (issue) in the Islamic Republic of Iran’s view as Lebanon, along with Syria, is on the front line of the resistance against the Zionist regime.”