Syria, Iran plan common front

Iran and Syria, both locked in rows with the United States, said on Wednesday they would form a common front to face challenges and threats.

8216;8216;We are ready to help Syria on all grounds to confront threats,8217;8217; Iranian Vice-President Mohammad Reza Aref said in Tehran after meeting Syrian Prime Minister Naji al-Otari.Otari told reporters: 8216;8216;This meeting, which takes place at this sensitive time, is important, especially because Syria and Iran face several challenges and it is necessary to build a common front8217;8217;.

Syria8217;s ambassador to the US, asked by CNN what the common Front with Iran entailed, stressed that it was not an anti-American alliance and said Syria was trying to improve its relations with Washington.