Top cleric thanks Iran president for support

Tehran: Syria's top Muslim cleric has thanked Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for his unwavering support of Syria's government as it deals with widespread unrest, the presidency website reported yesterday.

Grand Mufti Shaikh Ahmad Badr Al Deen Hassoun conveyed the "thanks of the Syrian people and president for the stance of Ahmadinejad and our nation," the website said after a meeting between the two in Tehran.

Ahmadinejad told the Sunni cleric, who was attending an Islamic conference, that "the main aim of the dominating and bullying powers [US and its allies] is to preserve the Zionist regime [Israel]."

He added: "The US and its allies are seeking to launch a new war in the region and to break the line of Islamic resistance. But we believe that with wisdom and unity we can stand against them."

Iran has stood by Syrian President Bashar Al Assad, though it denies Western accusations that it is sending arms to Damascus.