Iran-Russia-Syria Envoys Say US Miscalculating On Syria

Beirut, Sept 3, IRNA – Ambassadors of Iran, Russia and Syria in Lebanon were agreed in a trilateral meeting here on Sunday that the US calculations on military intervention in Syria have been wrong. The Islamic Republic of Iran Ambassador in Lebanon in a meeting with his Syrian and Russian counterparts surveyed the latest developments in the region, and particularly the US threats of military intervention in Syria. Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdol-Karim Ali referred to the high spirit of the Syrian Army and their full readiness for defending their country, emphasizing, “Speaking about a limited military intervention is meaningless in accordance with the international laws.” He added, “Beyond doubt any attack, even a limited one, is breaching the sovereignty of a country and deserves an appropriate response.” The Syrian envoy stressed that in accordance with all facts and figures the foreign-backed armed groups have been the side that used chemical weapons against the defenseless women and children. He also warned the US and the Zionist regime that before making such a mistake as military intervention in Syria, they had better review the their calculations for the stage after the intervention. Iran’s Ambassador Ghazanfar Roknabadi, too, said that efforts aimed at resolving the Syrian crisis peacefully would be to the benefit of everyone. He also referred to the Supreme Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei’s comments where he said, “US-Zionist adventurism in the region would cost them dearly and is like setting ablaze explosive materials.” Roknabadi referred to a visit by Head of the Iranian Islamic Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee Ala’eddin Boroujerdi to Syria and Lebanon and the Islamic Republic of Iran’s full support for the Syrian people and political system. The Russian Ambassador to Lebanon, Alexander Zasipkin, too, said there are plenty of documents and proof on the use of the chemical weapons by the armed opponents of the system. He added, “The side that has used these weapons should not be permitted to take advantage of them to further strengthen itself.” Ambassador Zasipkin reiterated, “Russia’s fixed stance is opposing any type of military intervention against Syria, reiterating, “The Americans have definitely in their calculations about Syria made mistakes and they must have realized their mistakes by now.” While the specter of an attack was looming, US President Barack Obama decided to delay possible military action in Syria as he sent the US Congress draft legislation seeking approval for the use of force. The war rhetoric against Syria intensified after foreign-backed opposition forces accused President Bashar al-Assad’s government of having launched a chemical attack on militant strongholds in the suburbs of Damascus on August 21, a line that has been used by some western countries as the pretext for a possible military action against Syria. While the specter of an attack was looming, US President Barack Obama decided to delay possible military action in Syria as he sent the US Congress draft legislation seeking approval for the use of force. The analysis of samples taken by UN inspectors in Syria probing alleged use of chemical weapons could take up to three weeks, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said. The evidence collected by the team will now undergo laboratory analysis and technical evaluation, said the group based in The Hague where the team arrived yesterday. These procedures may take up to three weeks for completion in a systematic, orderly and objective manner./end