Velayati: No State Is Authorized To Interfere In Syria's Domestic Affairs

Tehran, Sept 25, IRNA - Supreme Leader's Advisor for International Affairs Ali Akbar Velayati said on Tuesday that any Muslim, non-Muslim, Arab and non-Arab state is authorized to intervene in the internal affairs of Syria under the pretext of backing the Syrian nation. He made the remarks after receiving Syrian parliamentary delegation in Tehran Tuesday afternoon. "I believe that in the past one and a half years, the Syrian people have passed through a very crucial period and fortunately with reliance on their will, they could thwart all plots and conspiracies masterminded by their enemies," he said. He said the current crisis in Syria is a natural reaction to interference of western countries led by the US. The Syrian groups are now distancing themselves from the US, Zionists and Arab reactionaries in the region, Velayati said adding "During talks with Syrian opposition groups we reached the conclusion that the Syrian opposition forces are reluctant to form an alliance with aliens against the Syrian government." Coincidence of Islamic awakening and Syrian crisis in the region have bothered the enemies that are afraid of effects of Islamic awakening in the Middle East , North Africa, he said. The opposition groups in Syria supposed that they could topple the Syrian government within weeks and bring to power a political figure whose stands are close to those of the Zionist regime, West and Arab reactionaries but to no avail, Velayati said. The Syrian government is blamed for its tough and uncompromising stands on the Zionist regime and having close relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran and resistance movement, he said. Iran fully backs reforms initiated by President Bashar al-Assad and hopes for continuation of the reform process, Velayati underlined. Armed groups from some Arab and non-Arab states have rushed to Syria via some neighboring countries to topple its government, he said. Western countries claim they are seeking to bring to power a so-called democratic government in Syria while al-Qaeda seeks to bring to power a hardline government, Velayati said, adding that all these plots hatched by the Zionists might lead to disintegration of Syria, he said. A leader of the opposition group had claimed that following the toppling of the Syrian government, they would establish relations with the Zionist regime and the US while severing ties with Iran and stopping support for Hamas and Hizbullah, Velayati said. Syrian people have exercised vigilance in dealing with current developments in the country stirred by the Zionists and their reactionaries allies in the region, he said. She Syrian president has started reforms in the country and the Islamic Republic of Iran is determined to support his plan, he said. He advised world Muslims not to fall into the trap of the Zionists and expressed the hope that ties between Iran and Syria would be further bolstered. The interests of regional nations are interrelated and followers of other divine religions such as Christians have lived in peace with their Muslim fellow countrymen in the region, he said./end