Jalili: Syrian Crisis Must Be Resolved Democratically

Tehran, July 11, IRNA -- Syrian crisis must be resolved democratically not by arming terrorists, Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili said on Tuesday. Jalili made the remarks in a meeting with United Nations special envoy on Syria Kofi Annan. The problems should be resolved with the hands of Syrian people and government without interference of foreigners, Jalili said. The mischief records of certain governments such as US in backing dictators and their undemocratic behavior indicate that the US government cannot play any positive role in resolving international crises and the people in the Middle East believe that US government is the core of regional problems, he said. Political talks and ceasefire should be implemented simultaneously, he said, calling on the UN observers to prevent passage of weapons and armed groups to Syria. Kofi Annan, for his part, briefed Jalili on Geneva meeting and underlined the significant role of the Islamic Republic of Iran to help resolve the crisis in Syria./end