Assad: Peace talks 'aimed at boosting Obama's position'

On official visit to Teheran Syrian President meets with Ahmadinejad; says dialogue between Israel, Palestinians has brought "no change."

By JPOST.COM STAFF, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Assad and Ahmadinejad meeting 311 (photo credit: AP Photo/ Sana-HO)
Assad and Ahmadinejad meeting 311
(photo credit: AP Photo/ Sana-HO)
Syrian President Bashar Assad arrived in Teheran on Saturday for an official visit, and expressed dim hopes for any success in Middle East peace talks, saying the White House is only using its mediation between Israelis and Palestinians to score political points in the United States.
The comments by Assad followed talks with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who greeted him upon arrival. Both leaders pledged to support "resistance" in the region, an apparent reference to Palestinian militants and others opposing Israel.
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The trip came two weeks after Ahmadinejad traveled to Syria, signaling Iran's concerns about US efforts to pry Damascus away from its alliance with Teheran.
Assad said the current attempt at dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians have brought "no change" and claimed that President Barack Obama only seeks a political boost.
"The talks are only aimed at supporting Obama's position inside the US" Assad said in his first public comments about the process since the latest round of negotiations began last month.Assad also was awarded Iran's highest national medal for his support to Palestinian militants and Hizbullah in Lebanon.
"The Syrian government and nation, at the forefront of resistance, have for years stood up against the expansionism and aggression of the Zionist regime," Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying by the official IRNA news agency.
Assad, meanwhile, said the two countries "strategic relationship is necessary for the independence and the stability of the Middle East."
Assad's talks in Iran also are expected to touch on the effects of international sanctions on Tehran and the political struggles in neighboring Iraq.
Earlier on Saturday Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad said that his country is ready to make peace with Israel, Army Radio reported.
Mekdad said that it was Israel that was holding back on a peace agreement between the two countries.
According to the report, Mekdad added Syria is interested in strengthening ties with the US and reaching a peace agreement in the Middle East.
Mekdad claimed that a comprehensive peace agreement in the region would bring an end to the disagreement between Syria and the United Stated regarding Hizbullah in Lebanon.
Mekdad said that it was Israel that was holding back on a peace agreement between the two countries.
According to the report, Mekdad added Syria is interested in strengthening ties with the US and reaching a peace agreement in the Middle East.
Mekdad claimed that a comprehensive peace agreement in the region would bring an end to the disagreement between Syria and the United Stated regarding Hizbullah in Lebanon.