Iran contacts Syrian opposition over ceasefire proposal

TEHRAN,Oct.22(MNA) – Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said on Sunday that Iran has contacted a number of Syrian opposition groups in regard to Iran’s recent proposal for the declaration of a ceasefire in the Arab country. Salehi made the remarks in Tehran on Sunday during a joint press conference with the minister of foreign affairs of the Central African Republic, Antoine Gambi, when asked about the measures that Iran have taken to implement its proposal for the declaration of a ceasefire during the Eid al-Adha holiday, an Islamic holiday which starts on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah (October 26) and lasts several days. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced on October 17 that Iran had proposed a ceasefire during the Eid al-Adha holiday. Salehi said, “Iran is ready to pave the way for negotiations between the opposition and the Syrian government.” He added, “As of today, we have started contacting certain Syrian opposition groups so that they would enter into negotiations with the Syrian government if they are ready. We hope that we will be successful in this regard.” “According to the information we have received, the Syrian government has announced readiness for a ceasefire. But the opposition are not united… Unfortunately, they have not announced their readiness,” Salehi stated. “It has now become clear who is seeking violence and bloodshed and who does not want this,” he said.