Iran Ready To Help Resolve Humanitarian Crisis In Syria: FM

Tehran, March 18, IRNA – Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif said on Monday that Iran is ready to help resolve the humanitarian crisis in Syria. Zarif made the remarks in a meeting with United Nations - Arab League envoy on Syria Lakhdar Brahimi in Tehran. He added, Iran is prepared for any peace efforts with Brahimi and the United Nations consistent with the realities on the ground in Syria. Underlining Iran's principled stand, Zarif called for diplomatic settlement of the humanitarian crisis in Syria in line with the demands of Syrians for restoration of peace and security in their country. He addedd that the UN should play its independent role without being influenced by certain countries and their pressures. Zarif said that Iran has made it clear that it will accept no precondition for taking part in Conference on Syria, while sparing no efforts to use its capacity and potential to help the political process. Outlining the role of the Syrian government and President Bashar al-Assad in restoration of stability and security to the country, Zarif called for preparations for holding fair elections to pave the way for the people from all walks of life to decide their political fate. Zarif warned that terrorism in Syria may spread to the regional countries. Zarif said that the campaign against terrorism and extremism need collective cooperation of the regional countries. Brahimi, for his part said that the settlement of the Syrian crisis needs Syrian-Syrian dialog, cooperation of regional governments and assistance of the international community. He said that the Islamic Republic and other regional governments are expected to play effective role to end the humanitarian crisis in Syria. “Definitely, expediting restoration of political and security stability to Syria through settlement of current crisis will be helpful for stability and security of the entire region,” Brahimi said./end