ARAB AFFAIRS - Nov 14 - Iran Voices Solidarity With Syria.

Iranian FM Manouchehr Mottaki voices strong support for Syria in its standoff with the West over a UN inquiry into the assassination of Lebanese former Premier Rafik Hariri as he makes his first official visit to Tehran's main Arab ally. Mottaki said: We discussed the matter of Rafik Hariri's murder. Syrian officials are handling this issue in a satisfactory way. We want the UN commission of inquiry to continue its work on a legal basis and not politicize the case," he said. The Iranian minister hit out at US-led accusations that Syria was withholding its cooperation, saying they were one of a number of "suspect maneuverings by the US in the region. The US is pursuing its own expansionist, hegemonic goals in several parts of the region". On Iraq, Mottaki said he had agreed with Shaara that "the political process must continue and the Iraqi people be allowed to decide their own destiny". "We discussed the various options facing Iraq's neighbors and we're going to study them in the most serious way and support everything that's in the interests of the Iraqi people", he said. Both Iran and Syria have been accused by the US of taking insufficient action to prevent armed opponents of the US-led coalition from slipping into Iraq. Israeli PM Ariel Sharon on Nov 13 lumped Syria and Iran in his own "axis of evil", urging stepped-up international efforts to contain the two regimes. The Israeli leader said the axis was now headed by Tehran and Damascus, "which are ruled by irresponsible leaders, who take extreme stands which threaten the stability of the area". Mottaki was due to hold later talks with PM Mohammad Naji Otri on boosting economic ties.