Reuters - Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad said on Wednesday that the withdrawal of Iranian forces from Syria was “not up for discussion”, Lebanon’s al-Mayadeen TV reported.

“Whether Iranian forces or Hezbollah withdraw or stay in Syria is not up for discussion because it’s the (business) of the Syrian government,” the channel cited him as saying.

Washington has demanded Iran make sweeping changes — from dropping its nuclear program to pulling out of the Syrian conflict — or face severe economic sanctions.



Reporting by Ellen Francis; Editing by Catherine Evans