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Syrian defector says Iran providing arms, funds to Assad

A former Syrian diplomat says Iran has provided weapons and funds to President Bashar al-Assad since the start of anti-government uprisings in March last year.Former Syrian ambassador to Iraq Nawaf Fares spoke to an NHK correspondent in Doha on Monday.Fares, who defected from Syria in July, said the killing of Syria's defense minister in an explosion last month was a big blow to the government and has affected the leadership of its security institution.He quoted a Syrian government source as saying that the president is shuttling between the capital Damascus and Latakia in northwestern Syria, fearing assassination attempts and moving frequently.

Fares also said he attended a meeting of Syrian and Iranian high-ranking officials in March last year, shortly after anti-government protests began.He said Iran urged that civilian protests be thoroughly suppressed and offered all-out cooperation to the Syrian government, including supplies of arms and funds.Fares added that arms and funds are being brought to Syria from Iran via Mediterranean ports and Iraq.

Referring to support for anti-government forces in Syria, Fares said Qatar and Saudi Arabia continue to provide political support, but not enough. He called for providing more weapons and funds to the forces.Reports NHK