Iran and Syria have stressed the significance of maintaining unity and integrity in Sudan, expressing opposition to efforts to separate the northeastern African country into two states, Press TV reported.
In a meeting between Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki and Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal al-Miqdad in Kuwait on Wednesday, the two officials expressed support for the territorial integrity of Sudan.
Mottaki and al-Miqdad highlighted the significance of strengthening unity in Sudan as an "important and influential" country in the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the Non-Aligned Movement, Arab League and the African Union.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of the International Conference for Development of East Sudan in Kuwait.
Representatives from 39 countries, 28 institutions, as well as 73 non-governmental organizations are taking part in the two-day conference to back the development of east Sudan.
In an earlier address to the conference, the top Iranian diplomat blamed problems in countries like Sudan on colonialist powers that aim only to secure their own interests.
Problems in countries such as Sudan are the ominous heritage of colonialism and the modern policies of former colonialists that would do anything, including warmongering, to secure their own interests, Mottaki said.
"Currently hegemonic countries are facing numerous problems, including deep economic crises, which they have created themselves," he added.
Mottaki described Iran as a "comprehensive paradigm for developing countries," adding that Tehran is ready to cooperate with other nations and share its experiences with them.
Sudan, Africa's largest nation, is scheduled to stage two referendums on January 9 -- one on the independence of South Sudan and the other on whether the contested oil-rich Abyei region should link up with the North or South in case of the country's disintegration.
Media reports suggest that the United States, Britain and Israel are pressuring Sudan to hand over the city of El Obeid to the North in exchange for the lifting of sanctions and financial aid.
Washington has already called for a referendum to be held in the city before it is held elsewhere.
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