Leader’s Aide Hails Damascus as Pillar of Resistance Front

A senior advisor to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei described Syria as a pillar of the resistance front under the leadership of President Bashar al-Assad, applauding the strategic and growing cooperation between the Iranian and Syrian nations and governments. 
Ali Akbar Velayati made the remarks in a Monday meeting with Syria’s new ambassador to Iran, Shafiq Dayoub, to convey the Leader’s message to the Syrian envoy, to be relayed to the country’s president, Leader.ir reported. 
In the message, Ayatollah Khamenei has wished rapid recovery for President Assad who has reportedly contracted Covid-19, along with his wife.
Velayati expressed Iran's readiness to dispatch an experienced medical team to Damascus to visit the Syrian president.
He also praised Assad’s character as a strong and brave leader who resisted all attacks, enmities and conspiracies during an unequal war imposed by regional and international criminals and played a very valuable and important role in maintaining Syria's independence.
The Syrian ambassador expressed his appreciation for Ayatollah Khamenei for his kind message and support, and said President Assad is recovering in home quarantine.
The Syrian envoy said Iran plays a very constructive and positive role in the region and in Syria, calling for the further expansion of mutual ties in all areas.
“These relations indicate the brotherhood and deep respect that exist between the two countries, which play an important role in safeguarding the dignity of regional nations,” he said, adding that these ties need to be enhanced further. 
Dayoub also highlighted Iran’s important status in the resistance front, hoping it would record more victories in expelling the cruel American and Zionist forces. 
Iran began providing Syria with advisory military assistance after a civil war broke in the Arab country in 2011.