Shamkhani: No-fly zone over Syria unacceptable

TEHRAN, Dec. 17 (MNA) – The secretary of Supreme National Security Council has denounced attempts by western powers to create buffer and no-fly zone over Syria as unacceptable. Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani, who also represents the Leader in the Council met with Syrian Prime Minister Vael al-Halqi who is visiting Tehran. They discussed developments in the region especially in Syria and the ways to boost bilateral relations. Shamkhani praised Syrian government and people for their resistance against terrorist groups, and congratulated Syrian army and public forces loyal to Bashar al-Assad for recent success in pushing terrorists back, which he believed, bore testimony to the recognition by other players in the region of the fact that Syrian government was in the right track. “The violations by Zionist regime of Syrian airspace is an act against Syria’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and well in line with attempts to bolster terrorists’ position inside Syria; the UN should work out a harsh response so that no such violations would be repeated,” Shamkhani said in the meeting. He denounced attempts by international powers to create buffer and no-fly zone over Syria as unacceptable and weakening Syrian government position against Takfirist terrorists; “the countries in the region should develop a clear and accurate assessment and understanding of the situation to avoid policies which served their opportunistic and interest-based policies the best, and promote insecurity and violence,” added Shamkhani. He extended praise to the outstanding role of the Syrian premiership and the cabinet members in handling the complex and difficult economic situations, believing that boosting national spirit and relying on security at home as a shortcut to significant successes in the future. Shamkhani stated Iran’s strong will to improve the level of strategic cooperation between two countries, and emphasized on "wise and prudent position about the realities of the region and respect for the will of Syrian people to fight terrorism and violence." Vael al-Halqi, for his part, expressed appreciation for Iran’s extensive support for the resistance in Syria and also continued attempts to provide the economic welfare of Syrian people; “the Syrian government resolve would not be affected by difficulties in path of fighting terrorists, and we will definitely see the total collapse of terrorism if the support by their regional as well as international backers ceases to exist,” he added.