Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
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Tehran, SANA – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani received on Wednesday Syrian Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign and Expatriates Minister Walid al-Moallem.
During the meeting, Minister al-Moallem relayed congratulations from the Syrian leadership to the Iranian leadership and people for the historic nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1.
The meeting also discussed the situation in the region, the achievements made by the Syrian Arab Army and the Lebanese resistance in their battle against terrorism, and means for bolstering the steadfastness of the Syrian Army.
President Rouhani affirmed Iran’s firm position in support of Syria in fighting terrorism and extremism, asserting Iran’s commitment to boosting relations with Syria in all fields and working together to achieve stability and security in the region and the world.
The Iranian President said the wrong interventions of some countries and the flow of terrorists from a number of countries are two main problems in continuing the crisis in Syria.
He appreciated the steadfastness of the Syrian people and their resistance against terrorism, affirming that combating terrorism, supporting friendly governments and consolidating security and stability are permanent principles adopted by Iran.
President Rouhani considered that the future of any country depends of the opinion of its people, adding “If the powers had stopped their intervention and terrorism had been eliminated, the Syrian people would overcome all interior problems.”
He affirmed that determination of Iran has always been represented by supporting people and government of Syria against terrorism, saying “we have no doubt terrorists will fail and be dismissed from the region.”
The Iranian President reiterated that solution to the crisis in Syria is not military, but through the political way only, adding that Iran will spare no effort and use its political power to treat problems and achieve the aspirations of the Syrian people.
Al-Moallem, for his part, briefed President Rouhani on the latest developments on the political and field levels in Syria, hailing Iran’s support to Syria.
He was optimistic Syria would witness better conditions than before as conspirators reached to the degree of frustration.
Al-Moallem also met Chairman of the Iranian Shura Council Ali Larijani and discussed with him the latest developments in Syria and counterterrorism efforts.
The Minister briefed Larijani on the latest developments on the ground in Syria, saying that the achievements of the Syrian army and people have instilled frustrations in terrorists and those who support them.
Al-Moallem asserted that the resistance axis is growing stronger and that terrorism is faltering before the strikes of the Syrian Arab Army, the popular resistance, and the Lebanese resistance.
He also stressed the need for combining efforts to combat international terrorism, noting that the states that sponsored, harbored, funded, and supported terrorism are now “being burned by its fires.”
For his part, Larijani asserted that Iran will continue to support the Syrian government and people, saying that some states are becoming aware of the mistakes they made and the destructive ramifications of their support for terrorism, asserting that these states must correct their course of action and stop supporting terrorism.
He also lauded the steadfastness of the Syrian leadership and people and saluted the sacrifices of the Syrian Arab Army and the resistance in their battle against terrorists, asserting that Syria and the resistance will emerge victorious.
Earlier, during a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Tehran, Minister al-Moallem reiterated that the priority in Syria is fighting terrorism, stressing that Damascus welcomes every effort in this regard provided that the Syria sovereignty is maintained.
Bilateral relations, the latest developments in the regional and international arenas and the efforts for combating terrorism were discussed during the meeting.
Al-Moallem reviewed the current events in Syria, affirming that “the priority for us in Syria is fighting terrorism and the Takfiri thinking, and various efforts should be made to dry out its financial sources and to pressure the countries backing and funding it in compliance with the UN Security Council’s relevant resolutions.”
He made it clear that Syria is going ahead with fighting terrorism until the entire Syrian territory gets rid of it.
“Syria is fighting terrorism on behalf of the world, and it welcomes any effort that is put in the framework of combating terrorism providing that the national sovereignty is respected,” said al-Moallem.
He added that Syria also welcomes any political initiative that is carried out in coordination with the Syrian government and preserves the national sovereignty without any foreign interference.
The Iranian Foreign Minister, for his part, renewed his country’s supportive stance toward Syria in fighting terrorism.
“We stand by the people and government in Syria and are working with all the friends in this regard,” said Zarif, stressing that the only solution to the crisis in Syria is the political one that is reached by the Syrian people without foreign interference.
He highlighted the need for continuing consultation and coordination between Tehran and Damascus to foster joint cooperation, particularly in the field of fighting terrorism.
In a statement to the reporters following the talks and in response to a question about the US’s announcement of its intention to provide air support to what it calls “moderate opposition” after a group of those whom the US allowed in Syria came under an attack by Jabhat al-Nusra, al-Moallem said “for us in Syria there is no such thing as moderate or non -moderate opposition. Whoever that takes up arms against the Syrian state is a terrorist.”
“The US contacted us before this group’s entry and said it was for fighting ISIS and not the Syrian army at all, and we said that we were with every effort seeking to fight ISIS, and that should be done through coordination and consultation with the Syrian government, otherwise it would be a violation of the Syrian sovereignty,” al-Moallem added.
Minister al-Moallem also discussed with Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran Ali Shamkhani issues of mutual interest, particularly counterterrorism efforts.
The two sides asserted the need to continue coordination and consultations between Syria and Iran, with Shamkhani reiterating Iran’s commitment to continuing its support for Syria in its battle against terrorism.
The two sides underlined the need to continue coordination and consultations between Syria and Iran for their common interests.
During the meeting, al-Moallem briefed the Iranian side on the field developments in Syria and the achievements of the Syrian Army against terrorist organizations.
“Following up the diplomatic track to get through the current crisis is among the important choices, and the Syrian government has been in constant dialogue with “unarmed opposition” which is committed to the unity of the country and national sovereignty,” al-Moallem added.
Al-Moallem hailed Iran’s extensive support for the Syrian government and people, considering that reaching a permanent solution to the crisis and peace and security is contingent on countries which are sponsoring terrorism changing their behavior and on genuinely combating the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) away from media propaganda.
For his part, Shamkhani reiterated Iran’s commitment to continue its support for Syria in its battle against terrorism, affirming that the way to resolve the crisis requires immense efforts to regain areas under terrorists’ control and restore security and stability to citizens, as well as continuing Syrian-Syrian dialogue to reach national accord.
“Any military interference by foreign countries in Syria is rejected and will lead to weakening the state institutions that the Syrian people support, aggravate the crisis and cause terrorism to spread wider,” he added.
Shamkhani noted that the change in viewpoints on Syria and the recognition of the necessity of embracing political means is an indicator of the strength of Syria and its allies and an evidence of the principled stances in respecting the will of the people and democracy.
He called for promoting dialogue and regional cooperation to remove factors behind disorder and lack of security and stability, adding that the role of region’s countries is to prepare ground for removing the basic threat to the region, which is the Zionist entity.
Haifa Said / Hazem Sabbagh/Mazen
