Iran stresses support for Syria fight on terrorism
A senior Iranian diplomat has reiterated Tehran’s firm determination to assist Syria in its fight against terrorism and extremism.
In a meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus on Thursday, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said Iran will spare no efforts in helping restore stability and security in conflict-stricken Syria.
Regarding Iran’s position on Syria, he said the Islamic Republic is opposed to any foreign interference in the Arab country.
For his part, Assad hailed Iran’s contribution to stability in the Middle East region, saying Syrians trust Iran’s efforts for the settlement of the crisis in his country.
The Syrian president said Iran played a major role in protecting the people of the Middle East region against the spread of terrorism by some governments.
The Syrian president also appreciated Iran’s relentless efforts to solve the crisis in Syria.
A handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) shows Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (L), Iran’s deputy foreign minister for Arab and African Affairs, meeting with Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Miqdad (2R) in the Syrian capital, Damascus, on September 2, 2015. (AFP photo)
Later in the day, the senior Iranian diplomat also held a joint press conference with Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Miqdad.
Amir-Abdollahian told reporters during the briefing that Iran still supports the pivotal role played by Assad in Syria, saying any plan devised for the Syrian crisis would fail if it does not take into consideration the right of the Syrian people to shape their own future.
The conflict in Syria has reportedly claimed more than 240,000 lives since March 2011.
The United Nations says the militancy has displaced 7.6 million Syrians internally, and compelled some 4.6 million others to take refuge mostly in neighboring countries.
