On Bashar's visit to Iran

The spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Hamid Rida Asefi, stressed on Monday that Bashar al-Assad will pay a visit to Iran and that current contacts and communications are underway between the two countries to set a date for this visit.

In a statement he made on Monday on the framework of the works of the 10th international forum for the Gulf region, Asefi denied any disputes between Iran and Syria, stressing that relations between the two countries were and are still "very good."

On the future of the Hizbullah Party in Lebanon in case a peace treaty is signed between Syria and Israel, Asefi stated that even if a peace treaty is signed between Syria and Israel, this will not affect the Hizbullah Party and the future of its activity because, "Hizbullah is a legitimate political organization built in Lebanon and that this party is the decision-maker of its future activity."

Asefi said current developments would not affect current developments in the region on the march of the Hizbullah Party. "It is a popular organization which has its base and activities and constitutes an effective force in confrontation of the Zionist enemy."

The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman denied that there are any disputes between Syria and Iran toward backing the Lebanese resistance. He said that resistance will continue as long as there is an Israeli occupation of the Lebanese territories.