Any Negative Move In Syria To Affect Entire Region : FM

Tehran, Oct 31, IRNA – Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said any negative development in Syria will affect the entire region, particularly the country's neighboring states. Salehi made the remarks in a meeting with visiting Syrian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Said Maza Hanidi. He stressed that the Syrian crisis should be settled through diplomatic solutions. Salehi said Iran has supported the Syrian nation and government in the past years, voicing Tehran's readiness to upgrade the level of cooperation with Damascus. As to the Eid al-Adha ceasefire that was violated by the Syrian opposition groups, he said it proved the rightfulness of the stand taken by the Syrian government. The truce for October 26 between Syrian government and the opposition groups could bring peace to Syria but it was violated and failed. For his part, the Syrian minister hailed Iran's support for his nation and government, expressing hope that bilateral cooperation would boost in all areas. He referred to the ceasefire as an opportunity to improve the critical situation in Syria./end