Syrian defense minister to visit Tehran

Syrian Defense Minister Mustafa Tlass received a formal invitation from his Iranian counterpart, Ali Shamkhani, to visit Tehran as soon as possible. The invitation was delivered by the Iranian ambassador in Damascus, Sheikh Hassan Ekhteri.

Ekhteri said Syria will specify the visit's date, referring to the distinctive relations between Iran and Syria which are developing in all fields.

The Iranian ambassador will leave Damascus in the middle of the coming month after serving 12 years in his post, and he will be replaced by ambassador Hussein Sheikh Islam, the assistant foreign minister for Middle East affairs.

Iranian - Syrian relations are improving, and Syrian President Hafez al-Assad has visited Tehran two times during the last year.