Iranian official meets with Syrian VP

DAMASCUS , Syria, Feb. 15 (UPI) -- The Iranian foreign minister met with the Syrian vice president Friday in Damascus to discuss regional developments and improving bilateral relations.

Syrian Vice President Farouk al-Shara's office released a statement saying the official discussed developments in Lebanon, Israel and Iraq with Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki, KUNA, the Kuwait News Agency, reported Friday.

The statement said the officials condemned the killing of Hezbollah commander Imad Mughniyah and called for international efforts to halt Israeli military action in Gaza.

Mottaki called on the international community during the meeting to allow the Lebanese government to address its internal problems without interference from outside the Middle East.

The two also discussed improving bilateral relations, a subject that was also discussed at a meeting between Mottaki and Syrian President Bashar Assad, SANA reported Friday.