Syria Denies US Claims on Iran Helping in Alleged ’’Suppression’’ of Mass Protests

Local Editor

Syria denied on Thursday U.S. allegations that Iran was helping it suppress mass protests, after the United States said it believed it had "evidence" Tehran was helping Syrian authorities combat the unrest.

"There is no truth to the announcement by the U.S. State Department about the presence of evidence of Iranian help to Syria in quelling the protests," SANA news agency quoted a Foreign Ministry official as saying.

Syrian authorities assured that peaceful protests are allowed, but warned of armed gangs -of foreign affiliation- that slipped among protestors, fire at them as well as at security men in order to instigate strife in the country.

The United States on Friday accused Iran of secretly helping Syria in its efforts to crackdown on demonstrators.