Iran rejects French FM’s remarks over Syria role as ‘unrealistic’

The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman says France’s “wrong” policies are the reason behind the crisis in Syria.

“Everyone knows that France is itself one of the countries whose wrong policies have created the current crisis in Syria and complicated the worrying and dire situation there,” said Bahram Qassemi on Wednesday.

Qassemi was reacting to remarks made by French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, who blamed the Syrian crisis on Iran’s support for the Damascus government.

“Unfortunately the French foreign minister’s remarks are unrealistic and unexpected, despite the understanding he should have about regional and international affairs,” Qassemi added.

He noted that Iran has played an influential role in the region in battling foreign-sponsored Takfiri terrorists, whose crimes are known to some Western countries, particularly France.

Those Western countries should have learned by now that they should not ask Iran to employ its influence against those on the frontlines of the battle against terrorism, the Iranian official added.

Qassemi advised Ayrault to study the history of the region’s past few decades, especially the role of some French statesmen in supporting and arming criminals like former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein during the 1980-1988 war on Iran, instead of making false and uncalled-for remarks.

Foreign-backed militancy has been wreaking terror and havoc across Syria for over the past five years. United Nations sources put the death toll at over 400,000.

Over the past few months, terrorists active in the war-torn country have suffered major setbacks as the Syrian army has managed to retake several areas.