Iran, Syria to redefine region

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TEHRAN, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- The Syrian speaker of Parliament met with the supreme leader of Iran in Tehran to discuss bilateral diplomatic concerns in the region.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei welcomed Mahmoud al-Abrash to the Iranian capital to discuss furthering Syrian-Iranian relations, Syria's official Syrian Arab News Agency reports.

Abrash said Damascus and Tehran would move forward with regional unity and common interests in mind.

"Common grounds between the two countries contribute to achieving their interests," he said.

Syria and Iran are primary allies in the region. Washington has a stormy relationship with both countries, accusing each of supporting regional terrorist groups.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told the visiting Syrian official that the two countries would join forces to redefine geopolitics in the region.

"Iran and Syria have a joint mission to create a new world order on the basis of justice, humanity and belief in God," he said.