“Iran will never abandon Syrian people, government”

A senior Iranian official has stressed the Iran will never abandon the Syrian people and government.

Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior adviser to Leader of the Islamic Ummah and Oppressed People Sayyed Imam Ali Khamenei, made the remarks on Tuesday following a meeting with Iraq’s Vice President Nouri al-Maliki in Tehran.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran will by no means retreat from its principal policy to support the resistance and the resistance front, including the people and government of Syria,” said Velayati.

Velayati also stressed that all efforts for Syria’s peace and stability on behalf of Iran and Russia are being coordinated through the Syrian government.

He went on to note that no country is permitted to interfere in Syria’s internal affairs, adding that the war-torn country’s sovereignty must be guarded at any cost.

“Those who have played a destructive role in Syria and are now seeking to interfere in the peace and reconciliation process and also in shaping the post-war status in the country must know that they have a dark record in Syria,” he added.

He also reiterated Iran’s position that only the Syrians themselves can decide the fate and future of their country.

Since March 2011, Syria has been gripped by militancy it blames on some Western states and their regional allies. The Takfiri terrorists operating in the Arab country have suffered major setbacks over the past few months as the army has managed to liberate a number of areas from their grip.