Raisi tours Damascus on his historic Syria trip
The Iranian president visited the Umayyad Mosque and Hamidiyah marketplace with a number of Syrian officials where he was received by Syrian citizens.
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Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi touring the Amarah district of Old Damascus (Social Media)
Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi was received by Syrian citizens during his visit to the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus on Thursday while accompanied by a number of Syrian officials.
After his mosque tour along with the Syrian Minister of Awqaf, Muhammad Abdul Sattar, Raisi visited the Hamidiyah marketplace, a historic landmark in the city.
Read more: Syria remained robust despite 12 years of brutal war: Raisi
The Iranian president also visited the shrine of Sayyida Ruqayya in the Amarah district of Old Damascus.
بالفيديو | الرئيس الايراني السيد ابراهيم رئيسي يزور مرقد السيدة رقية (ع) في #دمشق pic.twitter.com/tIVHkKdTM7
— قناة المنار (@TVManar1) May 4, 2023
Raisi arrived in Syria on Wednesday leading a delegation on an official, marking the first trip to the Arab country by an Iranian president in over 10 years.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent to Syria reported that Syria and Iran are set to sign agreements during the visit, noting that such agreements will be highlighted by economic ones.
The Iranian president held talks with Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad and also met with Prime Minister Hussein Arnous and Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad.
#Iranian President Ebrahim #Raisi had a warm welcome as he arrived in Damascus to meet with Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad. Raisi is the first Iranian President to visit #Syria since 2011. pic.twitter.com/41MDCGiq6g
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) May 3, 2023
Syria can turn sanctions into opportunities
The Iranian head of state confirmed that a number of agreements were made during the recent meeting with al-Assad, noting that 15 documents were signed to facilitate all required procedures and open a new page in relations between the two countries.
Raisi said during a forum of businessmen in Damascus that "the Iranian people and Iranian officials always stand by the Syrian people," adding that "the volume of trade exchange between the two countries does not amount to the volume of political relations between us, and therefore the volume of exchange must be expanded in a way that is more reflective of our relations."
He indicated that "the will of the two governments is to expand economic relations," and cooperation in all fields. Addressing the businessmen, Raisi said, "It is important that your [merchants] will is to exert economic efforts so that the conditions of both our nations change for the better."
"Iran has turned the sanctions imposed on it into opportunities," he added, noting that it is also possible for Syria to turn sanctions into opportunities.
The Iranian president pointed out that "this visit will constitute a positive and good turning point for the development of relations between the two countries," adding, "You will see the impact of this visit on the economic relations between the two countries and the region as a whole."
Raisi meets delegation of Palestinian Resistance in Syria
Earlier on Thursday, Raisi met with a delegation of Palestinian Resistance leaders at the presidential palace in Syria, in the presence of Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
During his speech at the shrine of Sayyida Zainab, Raisi pointed out that "Palestine was steadfast in its resistance against the Zionist regime completely changing the situation," stressing that "the reigns today are in the hands of the mujahideen who aspire to liberate Al-Quds."
