Geneva conference will not lead Iran to budge an inch on Syria: Iranian deputy FM

TEHRAN,July 1(MNA) -- An Iranian Foreign Ministry official said that the international conference on the Syrian crisis will not cause Iran to retreat from the stance it has adopted toward the Arab country. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, who is the deputy foreign minister for Arab and African affairs, made the remarks in reference to the meeting of the Action Group on Syria organized by Kofi Annan, the UN-Arab League joint special envoy on Syria, which was held in Geneva on the same day. “The conference will definitely not lead us to retreat even one iota from our stance toward the Syrian people,” Amir-Abdollahian stated. He added, “Any meeting that would help develop a solution involving the strategy of the Islamic Republic of Iran is approved of by the Islamic Republic of Iran,” but Iran will not participate in any conference “in which trade-offs would be made over Syria.” “Certain measures and preliminary negotiations ahead of the Geneva conference suggested that certain efforts are underway to scuttle Mr. Annan’s plan,” Amir-Abdollahian said. Annan has put forward a six-point peace 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. Iran will continue to provide moral, economic support to Syria Asked about the fact that certain Western countries, particularly the United States, have claimed that Iran is sending weaponry to Syria, Amir-Abdollahian stated, “In the political field, we support Syria very clearly and will definitely spare no effort and spiritual encouragement necessary to support the Syrian people and help bring Mr. Bashar al-Assad’s reform plan to fruition.” He added, “Given the fact that Syria is placed in a difficult situation, we have dispatched a number of shipments of medical and humanitarian supplies for those injured by terrorists. And meanwhile, in terms of economic support, we definitely will not withdraw our support for the Syrian people. “But Syria does not need military assistance. Syria has a strong army, and you are witnessing that the body of the Syrian Army, which is Sunni-dominated, has stood firm despite several months of pressure exerted on the country and massive measures (against it). “In regard to military capability, Syria does not need to receive any military assistance from the Islamic Republic of Iran. Syria is a country that has been in the line of resistance and has made the preparations necessary for its hour of need.” Iran will continue to support Syria even if Russia changes stance Asked if Iran would revise its stance toward Syria if the conflict descends into an all-out civil war, Amir-Abdollahian stated, “We believe that Syria has weathered a security crisis, and a bright future awaits the people and the reforms in Syria.” “We have clearly told our friends that even if Russia comes to the conclusion that it should no longer support (Syria), the Islamic Republic of Iran will strongly continue to support the (Syrian) people and Mr. Assad’s reforms.” When asked if any other country is insisting that the Syrian president should remain in power, the Iranian deputy foreign minister said, “According to what has been discussed so far in our negotiations with the Russians and the Chinese, it is a major and crucial issue for us that Mr. Bashar al-Assad remains in power until the Syrian people make a decision about their next president through a democratic process.” “(But) we are certain that Russia, given its strategic view, will continue to support Syria,” he added. On the downing of a Turkish military aircraft by Syria on June 22, Amir-Abdollahian expressed regret over the incident and said, “However, the incident can send a message to certain sides that are harboring the thought of attacking Syria.”