Syria backs Iran against 'conspiracy' protests

TEHRAN – Syria has expressed solidarity with Iran where clashes between protesters and security forces over the past days have left several people dead and wounded.

Syria is Iran's strongest ally in the Arab world and Tehran has been a main backer of Syrian President Bashar Assad since the country's conflict began in 2011, pumping hundreds of millions of dollars into the Syrian economy.

A Syrian Foreign Ministry statement released Tuesday blasted the US administration and Israel for expressing support to Iran's protesters. It blamed the US and Israel for destabilizing the region.

The ministry said Iran's sovereignty should be respected and no one should interfere in Tehran's internal affairs. "Syria is confident that Iran's leadership, government and people will be able to defeat the conspiracy," the Syrian ministry said.