Iranian minister on regional issues after positive Syrian trip

Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi returned to Iran following a five-day official visit to Syria and Lebanon, during which he held talks with officials in the two countries on bilateral relations, and regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Kharazi described results of his visit to Damascus and Beirut as "very good and successful." He stressed "full coordination of stances between the three countries" regarding regional and international issues.

Concerning Iranian-US relations, Kharazi denied any progress, noting that there is no change in the US policy towards Iran. He added, "As far long Washington does not give up its current policies towards Iran no progress will be attained."

He stated that the Israeli - Turkish military alliance has endangered the security of the Middle East region and raised worries in its states.

In a joint press conference between Kharaiz and his Lebanese counterpart, Fares Boueiz, following his talks in Lebanon on Wednesday Boueiz said, "The future of the Lebanese resistance is only a Lebanese matter and should be decided upon by the Lebanese people themselves." He said that Israel seeks pretexts to perpetuate its occupation of south Lebanon.

During his visit to Qana in south Lebanon where the ugliest Israeli massacre was committed against Lebanese civilians in 1996, Kharazi stressed that Israel should maintain unconditional withdrawal from south Lebanon. He added that Israel seeks to change the "political demography " of the region.