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