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Iran’s parliament: Iran to render military assistance to Syria at Damascus request

"Iran’s military aid will be provided as soon as Tehran receives a request from the Syrian government," said the head of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of Iran’s parliament

© AP Photo/Vahid Salemi

BEIRUT, October 15 /TASS/. Russia’s actions in Syria befit its status of a UN Security Council member, Alaeddin Boroujerdi, head of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of Iran’s parliament, said on Thursday.

According to him, Russia’s military operation in Syria will contribute both to struggle against terrorism and efforts to reach a political settlement to the Syrian crisis.

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Boroujerdi told a news conference in Damascus that Iran was ready to render military assistance to Syria. "Iran’s military aid will be provided as soon as Tehran receives a request from the Syrian government. We are going to announce it immediately," the Iranian deputy said.

Boroujerdi, who is heading an Iranian delegation, arrived in Damascus on Wednesday for talks with Syrian Vice-Premier and Foreign Minister Walid Muallem. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is expected to meet Boroujerdi on Thursday.

The Iranian deputy stressed the importance of the four-sided coordination of efforts by Russia, Iran, Iraq and Syria in fighting terrorism.

For his part, Syrian Information Minister Omran az-Zoubi on Wednesday refuted some Western and Arab media reports about the presence of Iranian and Russian ground forces in Syria.

"As for Iran, it has only sent military advisers to Syria. There are no Russian land troops on the Syrian soil," Omran az-Zoubi said in an interview with the Al Maydeen pan-Arabic satellite TV channel.

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Russia's military grouping in Syria

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