MOSCOW — Syria on Wednesday dismissed American calls for the withdrawal of Iranian troops and Lebanese Hezbollah militants from the war-torn country. Mikdad said in Wednesday’s remarks that Syria “highly appreciates” Russia’s military support as well as “advisers” from Iran and Hezbollah. He added that “we cannot let anyone even raise this issue” of the Iranian withdrawal. Israel has warned it will not accept a permanent Iranian military presence in Syria, and Israel struck a number of Iranian targets there earlier this month after what it said was a cross-border Iranian missile attack. The two men discussed the Sochi meeting, according to Syrian state media, and Lavrentyev congratulated Assad on restoring full control over the capital and its suburbs.

Source: National Post May 23, 2018 08:37 UTC