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| Political transition in Syria through govt. change is wishful thinking: Iran |
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.jpg) TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has said it is wishful thinking that political transition in Syria will take place through the change of the government.
Salehi made the remarks during a joint press conference with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem in Tehran on Sunday.
Salehi stated, “There are more than enough problems in the region. It is not appropriate that we compound these problems under the false assumption that if a (political) vacuum is created in Syria and the Syrian government changes, it will easily be replaced by another government. This is wishful thinking and an illusion. We have to take into consideration the conditions that Syria is experiencing and its internal situation.”
He added, “We do not deny this fact that the Syrian people, like other nations, have the right to enjoy all civil rights in a free country, but it should be noted that a plot has been hatched against Syria, which is clearly manifested in the stance and views of the Zionist regime against Syria.
“The Zionist regime is the initiator of all plots (to) bring down the Syrian government and create chaos in Syria.”
Salehi also said, “It is surprising that some are seeking reasons for Syria developments and express some views and believe that these (incidents) were merely caused by a number of public demands.”
He added, “We acknowledge that some Syrian people may have initiated a movement toward change, and the Syrian president and government have announced readiness to (fulfill) these demands and have met (some). A new constitution was adopted, and the issues of the multiplicity of parties and parliamentary election were put on the agenda and were addressed.
“Some may say that these measures were not taken under normal circumstances. But they should be told, ‘Give enough time (to the Syrian government) so that the Syrian government and president will be able to fulfill the promises they have made to the people.’
“We clearly see that this is a plot against Syria evilly hatched by a number of countries spearheaded by the Zionist regime.
“If, God forbid, actions in the wrong direction continue, their consequences will affect everyone, and we cannot currently predict the scope of their repercussions precisely.”
Damascus is committed to implementing Annan’s plan: Syrian FM
During the press conference, the Syrian foreign minister said that his country is committed to implementing the peace plan put forward by Kofi Annan, the UN-Arab League joint special envoy on Syria, to help resolve the crisis in the Arab country.
Annan, a former secretary general of the United Nations, has put forward a six-point plan for ending the crisis in Syria, which calls for a UN-supervised ceasefire by all parties, the withdrawal of soldiers and heavy weapons from cities, and the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
Muallem added that the opposition forces that are being supported by certain regional countries are not committed to the plan and said, “We call on the opposition groups to negotiate with the government.”
Asked if an agreement for military cooperation between Iran and Syria, which was signed on 16 June 2006, can be used in the event of a military campaign against Syria, he said, “Syria has a strong army and can easily defend its territory through reliance on its capabilities.”
In reply to a question about the commotion created about chemical weapons in Syria, Muallem stated, “The reality is that we have been facing such propagandistic media campaign by the United States, Europe, and certain Arab countries since a month ago.”
He added, “Regardless of whether Syria has chemical weapons or not, I want to say that the aggressive Israel has nuclear weapons.”
“We are ready to help establish a zone free of nuclear, chemical, and microbiological weapons in the Middle East and presented an initiative to the United Nations in 2003 to this end, but the United States is preventing it from being implemented,” he said.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Syrian foreign minister said that those opposition forces that surrender will be released if they do not have any one’s blood on their hands.
Terrorists will suffer defeat in Aleppo
At the beginning of the press conference, Muallem commented on the blast at the headquarters of the National Security Bureau in Damascus on July 18 and said that the Syrian people are determined to emerge victorious.
The terrorists who fled to Aleppo after their plot was foiled in Damascus will suffer defeat there as well, he added.
EP/PA
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| Last Updated on 29 July 2012 20:16 |