Iran, Russia Deputy FMs Talk On Syrian Developments

Tehran, Aug 28, IRNA -- Iranian and Russian deputy foreign ministers on Tuesday evening surveyed the latest developments surrounding the Syrian crisis. The Media and Public Affairs Office of the Foreign Ministry announced that the Deputy Foreign Minister in Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian and the Russian President’s Special Envoy Michael Bogdanov have agreed on the untrue nature of allegations pertaining the use of nuclear weapons by the Syrian government against its own people calling it a pre-fabricated scenario. Amir Abdollahian and Bogdanov also condemned the use of chemical weapons by terrorist and Takfiri groups stressing that the only way to resolve the Syrian crisis is through holding political talks while warning against any military intervention in the Arab country. Deputy Foreign Minister in Arab and African Affairs had earlier in a meeting with the UN Undersecretary General in Political Affairs Jeffery Feltman, said that support for terrorist and Takfiri groups in Syria is a strategic mistake. In the meeting here on Monday evening, Hossein Amir Abdollahian said that the conflict in Syria can be settled only through national comprehensive talks. He said that the importance of holding Geneva-2 meeting is that some countries will be obliged to prevent dispatching weapons to Syria and stopping violence there. The senior Iranian diplomat said that Tehran will support UN political initiatives, adding that Syrian move to cooperate with the UN chemical inspectors was timely. Feltman, for his part, appreciated Tehran’s initiative in proposing the six-article political plan for peace in Syria and praised Iran’s cooperation concerning Syrian developments. He said that current situation in the region and Syria is very sensitive and dangerous. He expressed hope that Geneva-2 meeting can be held successfully./end