Iran expresses support for Assad’s new peace plan

TEHRAN,Jan.8(MNA) – Iran has expressed support for the peace plan that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad unveiled on Sunday, which calls for the convening of a national reconciliation conference and the formation of a broad-based representative government that would then oversee new elections, the drafting of a new constitution, and a general amnesty. Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said on Sunday, “The Islamic Republic of Iran, in line with its principled policy to help resolve the Syrian crisis politically, supports the comprehensive initiative of Mr. Bashar al-Assad, the president of the Syrian Arab Republic, for a resolution of the crisis in the country.” Salehi also advised all Syrian parties and opposition groups and all the countries involved to seize the opportunity to pave the way for the restoration of peace and security in Syria in order to prevent a further escalation of the crisis. In addition, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said on Monday, “We will respect what the Syrian people choose in a democratic process based on their new constitution, whether they decide that Bashar al-Assad should continue his work or a new person is elected.” He added that the plan Assad presented deserves regional and international support. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast also expressed support for the plan on Monday, saying, “Mr. Assad’s remarks show that the Syrian government is seeking to bring an end to insecurity and instability and implement political reforms and opposes any foreign intervention in its internal affairs.” He added, “There is no military solution to the Syrian crisis. Therefore, influential countries in regional equations should prepare the ground for the implementation of Assad’s plan by bringing Syrian political groups closer together and intensive political consultations.”