Iran Deputy FM: Anti-Syria Plots Failing

Muscat, April 10, IRNA -- Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab-African Affairs, Hossein Amir Abdollahian said on Monday that anti-Syria conspiracies and the armed struggle against the Syrian government failed with Syria leaving behind the critical phase. Amir Abdollahian delivered a letter from Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salhi to Oman's Foreign Minister Yousef Bin Alawi Bin Abdulla in Muscat. Abdollahian said the Islamic Republic of Iran categorically supports Syrian nation and the reform program ushered in by President Bashar al-Assad, a reference to a referendum to approve the new Constitution which envisaged democratic election and shift of power structure in line with the new Constitution. He said that the future belongs to the resistance to Israeli occupation, the Syrian people and leadership of Assad in light of the democratic reforms underway in Syria. Citing the Islamic Republic of Iran's stance on security of the Persian Gulf strategic region. he said that the Islamic Republic of Iran has always advocated the region's welfare and stability. 'The Islamic Republic of Iran considers a collective duty to guarantee security of the Persian Gulf given importance of the vital main route of the energy supply.' He said that certain parties however have not taken the issue into consideration, trying to put the region in crisis through their hasty and unwise action. Amir Abdollahian said that the Islamic Republic of Iran will not allow certain parties to foment unrest amd escalate tension in the region, adding that security is the integral part of the region. Noting that Bahrain is now in a critical situation, Amir Abdollahian said the hasty and uncalculated military moves have deprived the benevolent people of any opportunity to present a political strategy and violence must stop after more than one year suppression in Bahrain. 'Otherwise, situation will get out of control there, which would not be in favor of any of the parties but enemies of the region.' Elsewhere in his remarks, Amir Abdollahian touched on Iran's stance to support national unity, territorial integrity and security of Yemen, saying all parties and groups should have a share in political structure. Though the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council plan should be taken as a move forward but it is insufficient and the Islamic Republic of Iran is concerned over massacre of Muslims in Yemen and violation of human rights there, he noted. Alawi for his part praised Iran's important position and constructive role in the critical and strategic Persian Gulf region, saying the 'exemplary' ties between Iran and Oman should get expanded. He called for Iran-Oman support for the mission of the UN Chief's envoy to Syria Kofi Annan./end