Salehi Calls For Immediate Cessation Of Violence In Syria

Tehran, May 1, IRNA -- Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said on Tuesday that Iran calls for immediate cessation of violence in Syria and believes that diplomatic and democratic means needed to resolve the crisis. He made the remarks in a meeting with visiting Syrian Parliament Speaker Mohammed Jihad al-Laham. The Iranian people and its government support Syrian government and nation in their struggles with the enemies of Islamic Resistance, Salehi said. The Syrian parliament speaker heading a parliamentary delegation is on a visit to Tehran to discuss regional developments with the Iranian officials. Salehi briefed the Syrian parliament speaker on consultations of Iranian officials at regional and international level with the Egyptian president on finding a way out of Syrian crisis. Salehi said that exchange of visit by the parliamentary delegation helps broaden relations between the two nations. The Syrian parliament speaker, for his part expressed gratitude to Iranian Supreme Leader, government and Iranian people for their support for the Syrian government and nation under the current sensitive circumstances. The speaker deplored atrocities and anti-human actions of the terrorist groups in Syria and said that their supporters showed lack of logic. ˈThe western governments and their regional allies are accusing the Syrian government of using chemical weapons to pave the path for military intervention,ˈ he said. He highlighted the measures taken by Syrian government to resolve the crisis and underlined importance of cooperation between the Iranian and Syrian parliaments./end