Syrian Official Praises Iran's 'Effective' Support

Syria's parliament speaker on Monday paid tribute to Iran for its "effective role" in helping his embattled government overcome sanctions and fight an armed rebellion.

Jihad al-Lahham made the remarks during a visit to Tehran, the Damascus regime's main regional ally which provides the government of President Bashar Assad with both financial and military help.

"The honorable positions of the Islamic Republic of Iran and friends in Moscow and the BRICS countries have played an effective role in helping the Syrian people in the fight against terrorism, and also in confronting the shameful economic sanctions," Lahham said.

Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa make up the so-called emerging BRICS nations.

Lahham, quoted by IRNA news agency, said ties between Syrian and Iran are "a stabilizing factor in the region and form a bulwark of defense for the people of the region against a tide of terrorist killers."

The Syrian government calls "terrorists" all those seeking to oust Assad from power.

Iran's parliamentary speaker, Ali Larijani, predicted Syria will emerge as the "victor" in the battle against its opponents, adding that Iran always helped countries in the region "in the fight against terrorism".

Syria's conflict began in March 2011 with anti-government protests but evolved into a complex, multi-front war that has left at least 220,000 people dead and millions displaced.