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27 October 2013 - 23:30

Iran President Hassan Rouhani has once again emphasized the necessity of finding a political solution to the crisis in Syria as the only way to end violence in the Arab country.

“It is a cause for hope that various countries have reached the conclusion that the Syria crisis has no military solution and that it should be resolved through political channels,” Rouhani said in a meeting with the UN-Arab League Special Representative to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi in Tehran on Sunday.

He expressed hope that stability and security would be restored to Syria, adding that Iran would spare no effort to put an end to clashes and restore peace to the crisis-stricken country.


“The Islamic Republic of Iran is completely ready to play a positive role … for [establishing] stability in Syria and it does not differ whether such efforts are carried out in the name of the Geneva II conference or any other move,” Rouhani stated.

Syria has been gripped by deadly unrest since 2011. According to reports, the Western powers and their regional allies -- especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey -- are supporting the militants operating inside Syria.

According to the United Nations, more than 100,000 people have been killed and millions displaced in the violence.


“Iran is committed to ... sending humanitarian aid and food to Syria, to efforts to prevent the transit of terrorists into the country’s territory, to the full annihilation of chemical weapons in Syria and the expulsion of all terrorist groups from the country [and considers them] as important steps [which should be taken] to achieve sustainable peace,” the Iranian president said.

He emphasized that Tehran regards such measures as beneficial to the interests of people in Syria, Iran and other countries in the region.

The UN-Arab League special representative to Syria, for his part, said he has always defended Iran’s presence in the Geneva II conference.

He expressed hope that close cooperation with Iran would continue to establish peace in Syria whether Tehran attends the Geneva II talks or not.

Addressing a joint press conference with Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Tehran on Saturday, Brahimi said the Islamic Republic’s participation in the forthcoming Geneva II conference is “natural, necessary and beneficial.”

The Geneva II conference is seen as a chance to find a political solution to the crisis in Syria. The event has been delayed for months.

The conference was proposed by Russia and the US on May 7. The date of the long-delayed event has changed many times as Syria’s foreign-backed opposition coalition remains divided over whether or not to participate in the meeting.

News ID 185504