STORY: Gaza tops discussion list during acting Iranian FM's visit to Syria
SHOOTING TIME: June 4, 2024
DATELINE: June 5, 2024
LENGTH: 0:01:14
LOCATION: Damascus
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. Various of the meeting between the Syrian foreign minister Faisal Mekdad and Acting Iranian Foreign Minister
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Persian): ALI BAGHERI KANI, Acting Iranian Foreign Minister
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): FAISAL MEKDAD, Syrian Foreign Minister

STORYLINE:

Acting Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani on Tuesday embarked on his first visit to Syria since his appointment last month to address the urgent need to stop Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip against the Palestinians.

During a press conference with his Syrian counterpart Faisal Mekdad, Bagheri Kani emphasized the importance of immediately halting "Israeli occupation crimes," particularly in the southernmost Gazan city of Rafah, and ensuring the prompt and unconditional delivery of aid.

The two ministers condemned foreign interference in the region and expressed their condolences over the deaths of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, who died in a helicopter crash last month.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Persian): ALI BAGHERI KANI, Acting Iranian Foreign Minister
"I confirm that the Islamic Republic of Iran stands, as it always has, by Syria in the fight against terrorism, as well as in supporting the Syrian Arab Republic, both government and people, in achieving more stability, progress, and development. Iran cooperates with Syria on regional issues."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): FAISAL MEKDAD, Syrian Foreign Minister
"During our meeting, we emphasized the importance of continuing these strategic relationships. We reaffirmed the depth of the relationships between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Syria, as well as other Arab countries, both in terms of people and governments. We are ready for this journey to continue, even if not at a faster pace, we must at least maintain this relationship that has been achieved through the support of the Syrian and Iranian people."

Iran and Syria maintain a long-standing political and military relationship, with Iran providing substantial support to the Syrian government in its fight against rebel forces and extremist groups.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Damascus.
(XHTV)