FM Spokesman: Good News On Iran Hostages In Syria To Be Released Soon

Tehran, Jan 1, IRNA – Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said good news will be announced about the 48 Iranian pilgrims taken hostages in Syria soon. Talking to reporters on Tuesday during his weekly press briefing, he said as the Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has already announced, extensive efforts are underway to get the kidnapped Iranian pilgrims released. He said given the lobbies done inside Syria as well as the contacts made with the influential countries in the region which are in contact with Syrian groups, Tehran hopes to hear good news on the release of its citizens. Asked to comment on his last week visit to Turkey and the lobbies he did there pertaining to situation in Syria, the spokesman further said that he held talks with the Turkish officials on regional developments, bilateral ties and the Syrian crisis. He also said that he outlined Iran’s 6-point plan for Syria during the meetings. He said Iran believed that the focal point for the regional countries to share on the Syrian crisis was the need to stop clashes and prevent killing of defenseless people, cooperation to enhance national dialogue, stopping intervention of foreign countries and formation of a transitional government. He said that formation of a transitional government served the purpose of scheduling a timetable for parliament, constitution and presidential elections, adding that such a process could guarantee a democratic process for Syria. He also noted Iran insisted that barring foreign interventions in decision making process for the Syrian nation should be a major axis of the talks. Mehmanparast reiterated that during his talks with the Turkish officials, he also voiced Tehran's anxiety over recognizing and arming the Syrian anti-government groups by western countries. He stressed that countries supporting the Zionist regime should not be allowed to make decision for the Syrian nation./end