MNA � Head of Islamic Azad University board of founders said that Bashar al-Assad has requested Iran to open branches of Azad University in all the cities of Syria.



Head of Islamic Azad University�Board of Founders Ali Akbar Velayati said in a ceremony arranged in honor of Azad University officials�that friend�and foe�acknowledge that Iran is the most powerful, influential and authoritative regional country and stressed that Iran contributes to the security maintenance of regional countries only because it will ensure greater regional security.

�The Leader of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq Humam Hamoudi announced that Iraq is willing to open branches of Islamic Azad University in all the cities of Iraq, and according to the agreement reached between the two countries,�Iran will open branches in Karbala, Najaf, Baghdad, Basra and Erbil,� Velayati added.

Having discussed the Azad University branch in Lebanon, Velayati added �I sent a letter to Bashar al-Assad and announced that Islamic Azad University is prepared to open branches in Syria, following which he ordered for Azad University branches to be established in all the cities of Syria.�

Velayati said that Azad University branches have had successful performances in numerous countries and added �western countries welcome exchanging professors with Iran in order to run programs on teaching Persian language and literature to their students.�

Head of Islamic Azad University board of founders said �Iran supports neighboring and Islamic countries in terms of security issues, and also contributes to the development of Islamic culture, science and technology and aids regional and local achievements.�