Russia Has Not Changed Its Strategic Stance On Syria

Moscow, Dec 19, IRNA – Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab-African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said on Tuesday Russia has not changed its strategic stance on Syria. He is currently in Moscow for consultations with senior Russian officials on regional developments. Amir-Abdollahian said Tehran and Moscow have common stand on Syrian crisis, holding the belief that democratic process is the only way out of Syrian crisis after an immediate ceasefire under supervision of the United Nations. He said terrorist and violent actions in Syria which are backed by Western powers will further deteriorate the situation. Pointing to Iran's six-point peace plan, the deputy minister said he discussed Iranian initiative with Russian officials. He ruled out speculation that Iranian initiative is similar to Annan's. Amir-Abdollahain said Iran's proposal is more realistic than that of UN's. Meanwhile, Amir-Abdollahian met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and Russian President's Special Representative in Syrian Affairs Ilyas Akhmadov./end