Assad Officially Welcomes Ahmadinajad

Harold's List
Reform Party of Syria

Washington DC, January 19, 2006/RPS/ -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinajad arrived in Syria on Thursday for a two-day official visit. He was received at Damascus Airport by Baschar al-Assad.

Ahmadinajad and Assad are expected to discuss joint action against the pressure from the international community led by the US and France. They are also expected to sign two agreements over future economic co-operation between Syria and Iran.

Before his visit to the Syrian capital Damascus, Ahmedinajad said Iran-Syria relations will be strengthened and that many topics will be discussed during his visit to Syria.

Many analysts believe that the Assad regime, under increased pressure, will not be able to survive the rest of this year. Yesterday's surprise release of Syrian dissidents jailed because of their opposition to corruption in Syria is a sign that Assad can no longer maintain a grip on the country. He is due to make a speech on Saturday in a conference of Arab lawyers who are gathering in Damascus.